On 2 October 2013, the European Commission announced that it will not consider giving a legal basis to the 2012 social partner agreement in the hairdressing sector until a broader review of EU occupational health and safety legislation has been carried out in 2015. Representatives on both employers’ and employees’ sides have expressed disappointment and anger that measures which could lead to cost-savings and improve employee welfare have been delayed by political pressure.
The social partners asked the European Commission to forward their agreement for decision by the Council, in accordance with the procedures enshrined in the Treaty, so as to make it binding in the EU member states. Yet before the Commission had taken any initiative whatsoever, ten governments announced that they would oppose any form of regulation in this area.