https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10354 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:14:34 GMT 2026-04-28T05:14:34Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10356 Enhancement of social legislation in road transport II (Working time and enforcement of Regulation 561/2006) Remác, Milan; Méndez Juez, Marta Directives 2002/15 and 2006/22 lay down rules on the working time of professional drivers, breaks, and enforcement of Regulation 561/2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport. Various sources show that there are currently several challenges linked with the implementation of social legislation in road transport in the Member States. These challenges include diverging enforcement practice across the various EU Member States, a lack of clarity in the legislation, the broad discretion left to Member States, and various exemptions allowed by the legislation. These challenges are affecting harmonisation in the field of road transport; they have an impact on legal certainty and are hindering the fulfilment of the legislation's objectives. The European Parliament has noted these issues and has called for them to be resolved. Similarly, the European Economic and Social Committee has recommended updating the current legislation, while representatives of various stakeholder groups have called for amendments in this field. Last, but not least, the European Commission itself has expressed its willingness to revise these directives as part of the enhancement of social legislation in road transport. It is expected that the European Commission will submit a proposal in the second quarter of 2017. Mon, 01 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10356 2017-05-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10355 Illicit trade in cultural goods Zygierewicz, Anna; Méndez Juez, Marta Illicit trade (or trafficking) in cultural goods is defined by the European Commission as the 'illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property, i.e. items being of importance for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art or science' and is characterised as ranging 'from theft from cultural heritage institutions or private collections, through looting of archaeological sites to the displacement of artefacts due to war'. The European Commission points out that trafficking in cultural goods 'fosters terrorism, money laundering, tax evasion, and organised crime' and that 'Europe, where art and culture are highly prized and where many wealthy buyers can be found, is a favourite outlet for trafficking'. Cultural goods have a significant economic value in the market and the trafficking of cultural goods and antiquities is estimated to be worth between US$50 million and US$150 million a year. The European Union does not have common rules on the import of cultural goods. Two EU acts govern only selected areas: Regulation (EU) 116/2009 lays down rules on the export of cultural goods, and Directive 2014/60/EU governs the return of cultural objects taken unlawfully from another EU country. Furthermore, most Member States impose restrictions on imports of culture goods (e.g. requiring declarations or controls) in line with Articles 34 and 35 of Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). On 13 July 2017 the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on the import of cultural goods, which will set out conditions and procedure for the entry of cultural goods into the customs territory of the EU. The Commission is also preparing a study on illicit trade in cultural goods in the EU and the new technologies available to combat it. Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10355 2017-07-01T00:00:00Z