Improving Food Choices Through Nutrition Labelling: Towards a Common ‘Nutri-Score’ Scheme Across the EU. College of Europe Policy Brief #3.20 April 22020

The European Union is committed to the global fight against obesity and overweight, in which nutrition labelling plays an important role. > Under Regulation 1169/2011, the EU currently operates with traditional tabular and numerical labelling. > The ‘Nutri-Score’ is a new type of simplified, frontof- pack and colour-coded nutrition labelling already adopted by some member states as a recommendation to their food operators. It represents a useful supplement to the current system: it is easier to understand for consumers and leads to improved dietary choices. > The adoption of the Nutri-Score across the EU would bring a triple benefit: better information to consumers, better health outcomes and a less fragmented European market for foodstuffs. > As per Article 35 of Regulation 1169/2011, the European Commission is under an obligation to submit an overdue report on the matter, which could result in a proposal to modify the relevant EU provisions and introduce an EU-wide Nutri-Score labelling scheme

Internal Market as an Excuse: The Case of EU Anti-Tobacco Legislation. Case Notes 02/2017

In spite of its limited competence in the matter2, the EU has engaged in an ambitious struggle against lifestyle risks (tobacco, alcohol, diets, etc.)3 using its harmonisation powers under Article 114 TFEU concerning the internal market. While this objective may be laudable, it is also true that when the internal market objective completely disappears behind the public health objective, the EU faces an eminent constitutional problem. Indeed, the question of when the EU can, and cannot, use its broad harmonisation power under Article 114 TFEU4 has long agitated the European legal community, for it is a crucial element of the vertical repartition of competences between the Union and the Member States. The two cases dealt with i

Between Market Integration and Public Health: The Paradoxical EU Competence to Regulate Tobacco Consumption. Research Paper in Law 01/2018

The EU has positioned itself as a key actor in the regulation of lifestyle risks,1 in particular in the fight against tobacco consumption. This figures prominently in the EU health program 2014-2020 which seeks ‘to promote health, prevent diseases, and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles […] by addressing in particular the key lifestyle related risk factors with a focus on the Union added value’,2 among which ‘tobacco use and passive smoking’.3 Familiar aspects of antitobacco policies are regulated at the EU level, from the well-known ‘Smoking kills’ label to the prohibition of tobacco advertising on radio and television, via two main instruments: the Tobacco Products Directive,4 which regulates the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco, and the Tobacco Advertising Directive5, which relates to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products

Improving Food Choices Through Nutrition Labelling: Towards a Common ‘Nutri-Score’ Scheme Across the EU. College of Europe Policy Brief April 2020.

The European Union is committed to the global fight against obesity and overweight, in which nutrition labelling plays an important role. Under Regulation 1169/2011, the EU currently operates with traditional tabular and numerical labelling. The ‘Nutri-Score’ is a new type of simplified, front-of-pack and colour-coded nutrition labelling already adopted by some member states as a recommendation to their food operators. It represents a useful supplement to the current system: it is easier to understand for consumers and leads to improved dietary choices. The adoption of the Nutri-Score across the EU would bring a triple benefit: better information to consumers, better health outcomes and a less fragmented European market for foodstuffs. As per Article 35 of Regulation 1169/2011, the European Commission is under an obligation to submit an overdue report on the matter, which could result in a proposal to modify the relevant EU provisions and introduce an EU-wide Nutri-Score labelling scheme

Smoke-free environments: the missing link in EU antitobacco policy. College of European Policy Brief #8.18

> The European Union pursues an ambitious anti-tobacco policy, but its action regarding smoke-free environments limits itself to recommendations addressed to member states. > The recent decision by Austria to scrap a total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants illustrates the diversity of rules related to smoke-free environments in the EU. > The absence of any binding measures can be explained by the limited EU competence in public health and the necessity for the Union to tie measures enacted in this area to the completion of the internal market. > This demonstrates the limits of the current EU competence framework and the restrictions faced by the EU when pursuing its public health agenda. > The adoption of binding measures on smokefree environments on the EU level would hence require a change in the Treaty, or in the interpretation of the Court thereof

Mythe et réalité des relations entre les experts-comptables et les avocats : La guerre du chiffre et du droit a eu lieu

Les avocats plaidaient et les comptables comptaient, les seconds, plus près des marchands dont les premiers se tenaient à distance. La révolution industrielle du 19ème n’ayant été possible que par l’instauration d’instruments juridiques nouveaux sont apparus entre le notariat, ange gardien du patrimoine, et l’avocat plaidant, sur les conséquences des atteintes à ce patrimoine, des juristes qui, eux, organisaient les nouvelles conditions de la création et de la gestion de ce patrimoine, notamment sous forme sociale. L’essor consécutif d’une fiscalité complexe a fourni par la suite tant à ces juristes qu’aux comptables un rôle de plus en plus important qu’ils se partageaient. L’Etat, pour assurer sa quiétude quant à l’établissement de l’assiette fiscale, formalisera alors une profession comptable libérale connue aujourd’hui sous le titre d’expert-comptable.

Familiarization with a Forward Collision Warning on driving simulator: cost and benefit on driversystem interactions and trust

International audienceIntroducing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) into the vehicle could improve drivers’ comfort and reduce road crashes. However, suitable methods are required to study driver/system interactions. In fact, ADAS generate critical use cases, i.e. situations where alarms, or absence of alarms, can be negative for safety. The present study aimed at evaluating the impact of getting familiar, by means of a driving simulator, with critical situations when using the Forward Collision Warning system (FCW). We hypothesized that experiencing the system’s function in critical situations would improve drivers’ performance and their trust in the FCW. We compared judgments and driving performance of three independent groups: a “control group” where drivers did not use the FCW, an “unfamiliarized group” where drivers used the FCW without having been familiarized with the system, and a “familiarized group” where drivers used the FCW after having been familiarized. Results showed that familiarization made driver/system interactions more effective and safer. Moreover, familiarized drivers rated the system more positively than unfamiliarized drivers. However, familiarization decreased drivers’ self-confidence and did not prevent from haste when overtaking slow vehicles. We discussed the relevance of using a driving simulator in FCW’s studies and the possibility to transfer skills and knowledge to field operational tests. Finally, we proposed possible improvements to make the familiarization with the system still more effective.Introduire des systèmes avancés d’aide au conducteur dans le véhicule pourrait augmenter le confort des conducteurs et réduire le nombre d’accidents. Toutefois, des méthodes d’évaluations adaptées sont nécessaires à l’étude des interactions conducteur/système. Les systèmes d’aide génèrent effectivement des cas d’usage critiques, i.e. des situations ou les alertes, ou l’absence d’alertes, peuvent être négatives pour la sécurité. L’objectif de la recherche était d’évaluer l’impact de la familiarisation avec les cas critiques d’usage du Forward Collision Warning (FCW) sur simulateur de conduite. Nous avons testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle l’expérience du fonctionnement du FCW dans des situations critiques d’usage augmente la performance de conduite et la confiance des conducteurs dans le système. Nous avons comparé les jugements et la performance de conduite de trois groupes expérimentaux : un groupe contrôle où les conducteurs n’utilisaient pas le FCW, un groupe « non familiarisé » où les conducteurs utilisaient le système sans avoir été familiarisés et un groupe « familiarisé » où les conducteurs utilisaient le système après avoir été familiarisés. Les résultats montrent que la familiarisation rend les interactions conducteur/système plus efficaces et plus sûres. Par ailleurs, les conducteurs familiarisés ont des opinions plus positives sur le FCW comparé aux non familiarisés. Néanmoins, la familiarisation diminue la confiance des participants dans leur capacité de conduite. De plus, elle ne permet pas d’éviter que les conducteurs dépassent de façon trop précipitée les véhicules lents. Nous discutons la pertinence du simulateur pour l’étude du FCW et la possibilité de transfert des connaissances à la conduite sur route réelle. Finalement, nous proposons des améliorations pour rendre la familiarisation avec le système plus efficace

Familiarization with a Forward Collision Warning on driving simulator: cost and benefit on driversystem interactions and trust

Introducing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) into the vehicle could improve drivers’ comfort and reduce road crashes. However, suitable methods are required to study driver/system interactions. In fact, ADAS generate critical use cases, i.e. situations where alarms, or absence of alarms, can be negative for safety. The present study aimed at evaluating the impact of getting familiar, by means of a driving simulator, with critical situations when using the Forward Collision Warning system (FCW). We hypothesized that experiencing the system’s function in critical situations would improve drivers’ performance and their trust in the FCW. We compared judgments and driving performance of three independent groups: a “control group” where drivers did not use the FCW, an “unfamiliarized group” where drivers used the FCW without having been familiarized with the system, and a “familiarized group” where drivers used the FCW after having been familiarized. Results showed that familiarization made driver/system interactions more effective and safer. Moreover, familiarized drivers rated the system more positively than unfamiliarized drivers. However, familiarization decreased drivers’ self-confidence and did not prevent from haste when overtaking slow vehicles. We discussed the relevance of using a driving simulator in FCW’s studies and the possibility to transfer skills and knowledge to field operational tests. Finally, we proposed possible improvements to make the familiarization with the system still more effective.Introduire des systèmes avancés d’aide au conducteur dans le véhicule pourrait augmenter le confort des conducteurs et réduire le nombre d’accidents. Toutefois, des méthodes d’évaluations adaptées sont nécessaires à l’étude des interactions conducteur/système. Les systèmes d’aide génèrent effectivement des cas d’usage critiques, i.e. des situations ou les alertes, ou l’absence d’alertes, peuvent être négatives pour la sécurité. L’objectif de la recherche était d’évaluer l’impact de la familiarisation avec les cas critiques d’usage du Forward Collision Warning (FCW) sur simulateur de conduite. Nous avons testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle l’expérience du fonctionnement du FCW dans des situations critiques d’usage augmente la performance de conduite et la confiance des conducteurs dans le système. Nous avons comparé les jugements et la performance de conduite de trois groupes expérimentaux : un groupe contrôle où les conducteurs n’utilisaient pas le FCW, un groupe « non familiarisé » où les conducteurs utilisaient le système sans avoir été familiarisés et un groupe « familiarisé » où les conducteurs utilisaient le système après avoir été familiarisés. Les résultats montrent que la familiarisation rend les interactions conducteur/système plus efficaces et plus sûres. Par ailleurs, les conducteurs familiarisés ont des opinions plus positives sur le FCW comparé aux non familiarisés. Néanmoins, la familiarisation diminue la confiance des participants dans leur capacité de conduite. De plus, elle ne permet pas d’éviter que les conducteurs dépassent de façon trop précipitée les véhicules lents. Nous discutons la pertinence du simulateur pour l’étude du FCW et la possibilité de transfert des connaissances à la conduite sur route réelle. Finalement, nous proposons des améliorations pour rendre la familiarisation avec le système plus efficace