EU Publications

Electricity Consumption and Efficiency Trends in the Enlarged European Union: Status Report 2006 by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2007, 23:33 CET

Electricity consumption in the EU-27 Member States and Candidate Countries has continued to grow in the last years despite numerous energy efficiency polices and programmes at EU and national level. In the period 1999-2004, in the EU-25, total electricity consumption has grown by 10.8% in the residential sector, by 15.6% in the tertiary sector and by 9.5% in the industrial sector. Despite this increase and the consequent impact on CO2 emissions, there is little knowledge at European level, where the electricity is used, what is the status of efficiency of the installed and sold equipment and what is the likely impact of the past, present and planned policies. This report summarises the result of a 2006 in-depth survey on the electricity consumption in buildings in the enlarged EU and Candidate Countries, together with the present market share of efficient appliances and equipment. One of the aims of this report is to show the present status of electricity consumption for the main appliances and equipments, and on the base of the best available data estimate the saving potential for electricity in buildings in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. It also describes the policy actions introduced at EU level and some of the national policies. The report focuses also on motor driven systems, a horizontal technology present in all types of industry. In particular electric motors are responsible for 10 to 20% losses of the above indicated electricity consumption in the process of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.

The REACH Directive - Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2007, 23:36 CET

Full text of REACH Directive - from the Official Journal of the European Union L 136, 29.05.2007. In order to introduce a chemical substance on the European Union market, a manufacturer or importer must demonstrate its safe use. It has to submit comprehensive information on properties of the substance to the new European Chemicals Agency, which will evaluate the chemical before authorising it in the EU. The agency is established by REACH, which stands for 'Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals' — an EU regulation creating a single system for all chemical substances. The regulation also implies that EU member states will examine substances of concern, as well as deal with proposals for animal testing, trying to limit this practise as much as possible. Chemicals that can cause cancer, mutations or reproduction problems, or that accumulate in our bodies and in the environment, will need use-specific authorisations. In an attempt to encourage chemical companies to replace unsafe substances by safer ones, the companies must prove that the risks are adequately controlled, or that social and economic benefits outweigh the risks, and suitable alternative substances do not exist.

Panorama of energy by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2007, 23:36 CET

This First edition of the Panorama on Energy endeavours to deliver global characteristics of the energy situation in Europe, using the most recent official data available in Eurostat. It covers the main energy themes for EU-25 as well as for each individual Member State and quantifies them. Community energy policies receive deserved attention and in order to demonstrate the dynamic nature of the subject and how new policies call for new solutions, a few statistical projects will illustrate recent development work in cooperation with the Member States. A CD is included which, apart from a substantial amount of documentary information, invites the reader to review statistical data by means of an easy-to-use numerical presentation tool.

Your rights as a consumer - How the European Union protects your interests by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2007, 23:37 CET

In the European Union, you can shop wherever you like in the hunt for the best goods and services at the lowest prices, without having to bother with customs, taxes or, in the euro area, exchange rates. The number of people shopping across borders and over the Internet is growing all the time. The EU aims to make sure that your rights as a consumer are protected, wherever you decide to shop.

Eurostatistics - Data for short-term economic analysis by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2007, 23:38 CET

Eurostatistics - Data for short-term economic analysis - shows the evolution of the economic activity in the European Union, euro area and Member States. This monthly review gives a synthetic picture of the macroeconomic situation in the recent past. It contains monthly and quarterly macroeconomic data presented following an economic classification of the indicators such as: output, demand, income, prices, labour market, external transactions, monetary and financial markets.

Different organic farming patterns within EU-25 by EUbusiness — last modified 26 June 2007, 18:27 CET

This 'Statistics in Focus' describes the situation of the organic farming in Europe in the EU-25 in 2004 and 2005. The analysis focuses on the data of organic area, including the relationship to the total Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA), on the data of registered organic operators, including the relationship between organic producers and all agricultural holdings, and on the data of some selected organic crops and of some livestock types.

Directory of legal gazettes in Europe 2007 by EUbusiness — last modified 26 June 2007, 18:22 CET

All European countries issue legislation, legal notices and other official announcements in official publications, usually periodicals. Many countries publish all official information in one periodical, whereas others publish legislation in a 'legal gazette' and legal notices and other announcements in an 'official gazette'. This directory describes briefly the legal gazettes in Europe: organisation responsible, name of the 'official gazette' where there is a separate publication, details concerning the online edition.

Minimum wages 2007 by EUbusiness — last modified 26 June 2007, 18:29 CET

In January 2007, the legal minimum wage varied from 92 to 1570 euro gross per month. In January 2007, twenty of the twenty seven Member States of the European Union and one candidate country had national legislation setting statutory minimum wages. The level at which these were set varied widely, from 92 euro per month in Bulgaria to 1 570 euro per month in Luxembourg.

Soil Atlas of Europe by Dandy Booksellers — last modified 18 June 2007, 18:52 CET

The 'Soil Atlas of Europe' explains the origin and role of soil, describes the different soil types that can be found in Europe and their relevance on a global scale. The atlas also discusses the principal threats to soil across Europe and the steps being taken within the European Union to protect soil resources. The atlas is the result of a collective effort by more the 40 National soil surveys and soil science institutions cooperating across Europe within the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN). This network, established by the JRC in 1989, has formalised already existing collaborations among soil surveys already initiated in 1959 by the UN FAO as the first steps towards a common soil map for the European Union.

The impact of foreign-controlled enterprises in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 14 June 2007, 22:53 CET

Foreign-controlled enterprises accounted for 18 % of the value added, but less than 1 % of the number of enterprises in the 14 Member States for which data are available. They were most important within the manufacturing sector. More than 60 % of their value added could be attributed to enterprises in other Member States, while enterprises from the US accounted for 25%.

Lighten the load by EUbusiness — last modified 14 June 2007, 22:27 CET

Good practice awards 2007 : call for nominations : a European campaign on musculoskeletal disorders - Workers' health and safety

2006 environment policy review by EUbusiness — last modified 14 June 2007, 23:26 CET

Environmental issues are now a central element of the EU’s political agenda. With climate change the science is now clear and, unless urgent action is undertaken, the EU faces the risk of catastrophic temperature increases. Economic research has confirmed that the costs of inaction are many times the costs of cutting our greenhouse gas emissions. Faced with these facts it is clear that greater efforts are needed both by the EU and by the rest of the world. This Environment Policy Review reports on the progress we made in 2006 at both EU and Member State level.

Annual report on the euro area 2006 by EUbusiness — last modified 14 June 2007, 22:20 CET

Membership of the euro area strengthens the degree of economic interdependence between Member States through the existence of a single monetary policy and by fostering closer trade and financial ties and encouraging a closer coordination of economic policies.

The Government and Politics of the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 05 June 2007, 23:38 CET

This new edition of Neill Nugent's widely-used and much-praised book on the European Union has been systematically revised to provide full coverage of the new pan-European character of the EU after the 2004 enlargement. It includes a new chapter on the attempt to develop a European constitution and has been updated throughout to cover other recent developments.

European Union Law Q&A by EUbusiness — last modified 05 June 2007, 23:31 CET

Part of the bestselling "Q&A" series, the sixth edition of this popular book offers a clear and concise outline of an often confusing topic. Reader-friendly, it has been updated following the enlargement of the EU to twenty-five member states and takes into account the signed but not ratified Constitution Treaty 2004 and its possible impact. Illustrating how best to transfer information learnt on an EU law course into a good examination answer which draws upon a number of topics, "Q&A European Union Law 2006-2007" includes fifty sample questions, answer plans and answers and lucidly outlines the differences between the terminology and general approach of EU law compared to common law. Key cases and legislation covered in this edition comprise: Constitution for Europe Treaty 2004; Citizens' Free Movement Rights Directive 2004/38; Equal Treatment Directive 2002/73; and, Alabaster v Woolwich plc, Chen v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Bacardi-Martini v Newcastle United FC, R (on the application of British American Tobacco) v Secretary of State for Health. It is an invaluable resource and revision aid for students studying European Union law and those taking a professional qualification.

Giving Knowledge for Free: The Emergence of Open Educational Resources by EUbusiness — last modified 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET

Learning resources are often considered key intellectual property in a competitive higher education world. However, more and more institutions and individuals are sharing their digital learning resources over the Internet, openly and for free, as Open Educational Resources (OER). This study, building on previous OECD work on e-learning, asks why this is happening, who is involved and what the most important implications of this development are. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the rapidly changing phenomenon of Open Educational Resources and the challenges it poses for higher education. It examines reasons for individuals and institutions to share resources for free, and looks at copyright issues, sustainability and business models as well as policy implications. It will be of particular interest to those involved in e-learning or strategic decision making within higher education, to researchers and to students of new technologies.

Machiavelli in Brussels: The Art of Lobbying the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 29 May 2007, 19:03 CET

EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein: "...An accurate description of the engine room... A manual for those who want to influence." - New Europe: "...A critical academic study and an incisive analysis of the EU decision-making process."

Interest Representation in the European Union (Paperback) by EUbusiness — last modified 31 May 2007, 22:47 CET

Designed as a replacement for the author's highly acclaimed "Representing Interests in the European Union", this title provides a concise but comprehensive and authoritative assessment of professional, consumer, social, business and labour interests in the EU and of the role, significance, and operation of EU interest representation.

Europe: How to Do Business in 25 European Countries (Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands) by EUbusiness — last modified 22 May 2007, 10:59 CET

The most comprehensive, authoritative text of its kind, "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands" has won a following among high-ranking military officials, influential corporate executives, and business school professors alike. The new regional edition for Europe offers a wealth of region specific material in a portable package that no business traveler should be without! "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Europe" contains up-to-date information to lead the business traveler through business meetings, social situations, and understanding local cultures across Europe. It includes: cultural IQ tests; "Know Before You Go" tips; and, alerts on international security issues to prepare travelers for the road ahead.

Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective (Paperback) by EUbusiness — last modified 22 May 2007, 10:52 CET

Consumer Behaviour- A European Perspective 3rd edition provides a comprehensive, lively, contemporary and practical introduction to consumer behaviour. It shows how research and concepts in this subject can inform and be applied to broader/strategic marketing issues. The unique five-part micro-to-macro wheel structure takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the discussion of consumer behaviour theory and applications, and includes the latest trends and demographic data for profiling European consumers. This book is ideal for second and third year undergraduate marketing students, or those students taking a consumer behaviour module as part of a business course.