The European Commission is seeking views from interested parties on EU policy developments and actions. These public consultations offer EFC members an opportunity to contribute to the definition of future EU priorities. Open consultations at present relate to:

• EU guidelines on preventing abuse of NPOs. EFC members are invited to send their input for the contribution EFC secretariat is preparing for the Commission's consultation on voluntary guidelines for EU-based non-profit organisations (NPOs). DG Home Affairs has released a discussion paper on the matter  and is now calling for comments from foundations and other concerned stakeholders. Deadline: 20/08/2010. Read more
• Children's rights. The European Commission invites interested parties, including foundations, who deal with the protection and promotion of children's rights at all levels to provide their input on EU children's rights. Contributions received will feed into the preparation of the EU strategy on the rights of the child for the period 2011-2014, which will replace the current strategy adopted in 2006. Deadline: 20/08/2010. Read more
• NEW Research framework programme interim evaluation consultation. The Commission has established a panel of independent experts to carry out an interim evaluation of its main research programme, Framework Programme 7 (FP7). In order to provide the experts with a range of opinions and views about its implementation and achievements, a web-based consultation has been set up to allow for contributions from those with direct experience of the programme, as well as any other groups or individuals who wish to give their views. Deadline: 27/08/2010. Read more
• State aid rules on services of general economic interest. The Commission wishes to consult public service providers and their associations, public service users and their associations, stakeholders, citizens and all interested parties, on the application of the Services of general economic interest (SGEI) package, which defines the conditions under which State aid in the form of public service compensation can be considered compatible. Deadline: 10/09/2010. Read more
• National measures implementing provisions of EU services directive. The Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation to assess the national measures implementing some provisions of the EU services directive, notably the measures relating to the requirements imposed by Member States on the establishment of service providers and on the cross-border provision of their services. Deadline: 13/09/2010. Read more
• Possible approaches to tackling cross-border inheritance tax obstacles within the EU.  Stakeholders’ views are sought on obstacles related to cross-border inheritance tax and possible solutions to these problems. Input received will feed into the current Commission’s work to obtain more evidence of the extent of any cross-border inheritance tax problems within the EU and to find solutions to any problems identified. Deadline: 22/09/2010. Read more 
• NEW Rights, support and protection of victims of crime and violence. The Commission intends to adopt a package of measures, including a Directive on minimum standards for victims of crime, in the first half of 2011 in particular to replace the 2001 Framework Decision on the standing of victims.  This consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to present their views about which concrete actions could be developed at EU level that would bring real added value. Deadline: 30/09/2010. Read more
• NEW Boosting cultural heritage online. The European Commission's Reflection Group ("Comité des Sages") on digitisation is seeking views on how best to foster the online presence of cultural heritage. Contributions will feed into the recommendations the Group will submit to the Commission before the end of the year on how best to speed up the digitisation, online accessibility and preservation of cultural works across Europe in the digital age, looking in particular at the issue of public-private partnerships for digitisation in Europe. Deadline: 30/09/2010. Read more 
• NEW DRAFT Report on Alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing: current status and future prospects. Alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing.  The Commission seeks input on the five chapters of the “Draft Report on Alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing: current status and future prospects - 2010”. This report was prepared by experts to gain a broad and objective picture of the scientific/technical issues that relate to establishing alternative test methods for the five human health(-related) effects falling under the 2013 deadline for the marketing ban of the EU Cosmetics Directive. Interested parties are invited to comment on the 5 individual chapters of the draft report, each representing one human health(-related) effect, to ensure that each chapter correctly reflects the current state of the art and the prospects. Deadline: 15/10/2010. Read more
• NEW Intellectual property rights protection and enforcement in third countries. European Commission is seeking input for the review of its priorities regarding the intellectual property rights infringements beyond EU borders, notably to update its list of "priority countries" (cf. "IPR Enforcement Report 2009"). EU’s action in this field builds upon the 2004 Strategy for the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in Third Countries aimed to reduce the level of IPR infringements beyond EU borders, in particular in countries where it has reached worrying proportions and is seriously harming EU right holders. Deadline: 31/10/2010. Read more
• NEW Environment-biodiversity. The objective of this consultation is to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders on possible policy options for the European Union's post-2010 EU biodiversity strategy, which will be assessed by the Commission as part of the process of its development. Deadline: 22/10/2010. Read more
• Future of pensions. The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide public debate on how to ensure adequate, sustainable and safe pensions and how the EU can best support the national efforts. Input received will be used to consider the best course for future actions to address these issues at EU level. Deadline: 15/11/2010. Read more
• Insurance Guarantee Schemes. The Commission seeks stakeholders' input by means of a White paper aimed at setting out a coherent framework for EU action on insurance guarantee schemes (IGS) protection for policyholders and beneficiaries. In particular, it proposes introducing a Directive to ensure that all member States have an IGS that complies with a minimum set of design requirements. The White Paper raises a number of issues in relation to the introduction of al legally binding EU solution for IGS. The Commission's preferred option are clearly set out in text boxes throughout Sections 3 and 4. The Commission calls upon all interested parties to provide their views on these options. Deadline: 30/11/2010. Read more
• Policy options for progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses. The Commission has released a consultation paper (Green Paper) setting out a number of options on how to strengthen the internal market by making progress in the area of European Contract Law. This issue is considered of relevance given that the internal market is currently built on a multitude of contracts governed by different national contract laws which may entail additional transaction costs and legal uncertainty for businesses and lead to a lack of consumer confidence in the internal market. Depending on the evaluation of the results of the consultation, the Commission could propose further action by 2012. Deadline: 31/01/2011. Read more