MEPs introduce dynamic charging into AFIR proposal
The transition to cleaner and smarter mobility depends on the deployment of innovative charging infrastructure. For this reason, the proposed Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) should be as ambitious as possible.As such, FIEC welcomes the introduction of an amendment to Article 5a in the AFIR proposal, which provides for the deployment of electric road systems such as contactless inductive charging or overhead line technology. The uptake of dynamic charging points across Europe’s transport network is vital to meet our decarbonisation goals and to secure an effective shift to green mobility.
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FIEC asks for temporary suspension of restrictions against imports of steel
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sourcing of steel has become increasingly difficult. Imports of certain steel products are currently restricted by safeguard measures and FIEC expressed its concern regarding the application of these measures for the duration of the persisting conflict in Ukraine.
For specific steel products, such as reinforcing steel, it is not feasible to shift to other supply sources. The availability of such products, which are key in construction activity, has become highly problematic and their prices have been increasing significantly.
This situation is leading construction companies to suspend activities on worksites and to refrain from submitting new bids, thereby hindering the implementation of many ongoing and future projects including those in the framework of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Within this framework – and to allow for more steel imports into the EU and to stabilise Europe’s supply chain – on 12 April, FIEC addressed a letter to the European Commission asking for the following policy actions:
- The temporary suspension of steel safeguard measures
- The temporary suspension of EU anti-dumping duties on steel products
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26 April: EU-OSHA Info-session on MSDs – Latest workers’ safety highlights
The 6th Virtual HEALTHY WORKPLACES Information Session setting next priorities for the ”Musculoskeletal Disorders MSDs and Future generations” will be hosted on 26 April (from 11:00 to 12:00) by the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work (EU-OSHA) – to which FIEC is a key partner in the ongoing communication and awareness campaign titled ”Lighten the Load”.
During this session, EU-OSHA will present all the material that will be made available to its partners and to be promoted between May and August 2022.
To register to the meeting click on this link (online form on Eventbrite) no later than 21 April.
For any further information, contact the Webinar organiser at events@healthy-workplaces.eu.
Among the latest Agency’s news highlights, it is shown how construction workers are getting more and more involved in preventing MSDs. A report disseminated by EU-OSHA (29 March) presents 10 case studies with a focus on workers’ participation in the prevention of musculoskeletal risks at work. The report offers examples of workers’ involvement – via specific participatory methods – to contribute shaping health and safety policies.
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