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S
ocial policy is gaining importance in Europe, as shown,
for example, by the goal of creating a “European Pillar
of Social Rights”. At the start of European Integration,
economic and political issues were the core focus and so
cial issues were more marginal aspects. This changed signif
icantly in 2000 with the plans for a “European Social Agen
da”. However, unlike policy areas such as monetary policy,
social policy is not one of the original tasks of the European
Union (EU). It has only very limited powers which are main
ly limited to supporting social-political cooperation between
the Member States and establishing minimum standards in
certain areas, particularly in the area of occupational safety
and health. Yet the guiding principle remains the same—sub
sidiarity.
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Initiatives in focus
Therefore, the DGUV and its Brussels representation is care
fully monitoring all initiatives of the EU commission regard
ing the labour market and social policy. The focus is moving
increasingly to European and international standardisa
tion—especially with regard to harmonised European stand
ards and provisions. The European Commission wants to use
standards as a means of achieving a digital single market.
Standardisation has also played an important role in prod
safety for years. However, the DGUV is critical of such devel
opments when standardisation is person-related, for exam
ple, issues related to OSH, social services or health services
which are also provided by the German statutory accident in
surance system. The DGUV does not consider it appropriate
that there is standardisation of occupational safety and health
or the services provided by statutory accident insurance such
as rehabilitation and medical care at national, European or in
ternational level (see Article on Page 18).
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Social policy in Europe:
the blurring of boundaries
Comments by the DGUV on social-political initiatives in the EU
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Working Time Directive
The EU Treaty makes it possible for certain aspects of OSH
to be regulated at European level. For example, the Working
Time Directive (2003/88/EC) is currently being revised. The
DGUV was involved in the consultation process through com
ments it submitted. It highlighted that, in terms of prevention,
it is not recommended to have a daily working time of more
than eight hours or a weekly working time of more than 40
hours. Scientific studies have shown that the risk of a work
place accident increases exponentially after the ninth hour of
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“Social dialogue
must not be called
into question in the
European legislative
process.”
Positioning
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DGUV Yearbook 2015/16