IHEEM members’ views are being sought on whether the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) should support a statement by five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) that calls for the European Commission, and in particular its powerful DG Competition directorate, to continue to respect the self-governing structure of “liberal professions” such as engineering, architecture and medicine.
The five MEPs are concerned that a number of individuals within the EC’s DG Competition are lobbying in favour of abolition of self-governed sectorspecific regulations currently employed to good effect by professions such as engineering, and argue that if their declaration against such steps was to be supported by “a number of national MPs” it could lead to a resolution from the European Parliament.
In particular the declaration calls on the Commission to:
- Respect the “added value” of the liberal professions to European society and to make sure that they are not assessed solely on the basis of market economy criteria.
- Respect the self-governing structure of such professions and their potential to help implement the Lisbon Strategy.
- Acknowledge that a “premature liberalisation” of the liberal professions could lead to a decline in quality and in the full coverage of supply.
- Consider “more democratic methods” when embarking on further reforms, and to proceed jointly with Parliament and the Council, instead of initiating judicial proceedings when considering such reforms.
ECUK’s head of international recognition Jim Birch says in a letter to CEOs and secretaries of licensed members of the Council that “our current view is that no harm would be done, but we seek the thoughts of licensed members on what should be the ECUK stance”.
To submit feedback and views, contact IHEEM recruitment/membership manager Chris Parker: T: 023 9282 3186, or e-mail: chris.parker@iheem.org.uk
