Balance Of Competences Review

The Balance of Competences Review was an “audit of what the EU ( European Union) does and how it affects the UK ( United Kingdom)”, carried out by the United Kingdom Government during the Cameron–Clegg coalition.^[1] It was launched in 2012 and the set of reports were published in December 2014,^[2] but without a single summary final report.^[3]^[4]

Competences of the European Union in relation to those of its member states^[5]

Exclusive competence

Shared competence

Supporting competence

The Union has exclusive competence to make directives and conclude international agreements when provided for in a Union legislative act as to …

the customs union
the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market
monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro
the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy
Common Commercial Policy
conclusion of certain international agreements

Member States cannot exercise competence in areas where the Union has done so, that is …

the internal market
social policy, for the aspects defined in this Treaty
economic, social and territorial cohesion
agriculture and fisheries, excluding the conservation of marine biological resources
environment
consumer protection
transport
trans-European networks
energy
the area of freedom, security and justice
common safety concerns in public health matters, for the aspects defined in this Treaty

Union exercise of competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs in …

research, technological development and (outer) space
development cooperation, humanitarian aid

The Union coordinates Member States policies or implements supplemental to their common policies not covered elsewhere in …

the coordination of economic, employment and social policies
common foreign, security and defence policies

The Union can carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement Member States' actions in …

the protection and improvement of human health
industry
culture
tourism
education, youth, sport and vocational training
civil protection (disaster prevention)
administrative cooperation

References

^ "Review of the balance of competences". GOV.UK.
^ "Final reports in review of EU Balance of Competences published". GOV.UK.
^ "Review of the Balance of Competences between the UK and EU - News from Parliament". UK Parliament.
^ "House of Lords - The Review of the Balance of Competences between the UK and the EU - European Union Committee". publications.parliament.uk.
^ As outlined in Title I of Part I of the consolidated Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

References

See also