EU News

European Union Business News from EUbusiness.com

EU removes geo-blocking barriers to e-commerce — 27 February 2018, 18:12 CET

The EU gave the final green light Tuesday to a ban on unjustified geo-blocking, a discriminatory practice that stops online customers buying products from a website based in another member state.

Final go-ahead for EU emissions trading reform — 28 February 2018, 15:49 CET

The EU Council formally approved reform of the EU emissions trading system for the period 2021 to 2030 Tuesday, a significant step towards fulfilling EU commitments under the Paris climate agreement.

EU states agree to revise rules for funding political parties — 23 February 2018, 00:26 CET

EU ambassadors agreed Wednesday on revised rules for the funding of European political parties and foundations - enabling the Bulgarian presidency to begin negotiations with the European Parliament.

MEPs vote on EU-wide rules for sales of goods — 25 February 2018, 17:55 CET

MEPs approved Thursday a single set of rules to ensure consumers buying online or face-to-face in a local shop obtain the remedies they are entitled to if they purchase a faulty product.

Firefighter's standby time is working time: EU Court — 23 February 2018, 00:26 CET

Stand-by time of a firefighter on call at home, who is obliged to respond to calls from an employer within a short period, must be regarded as ‘working time’, the EU's top Court ruled on Thursday.

EU auditors to scrutinise organic food checks — 22 February 2018, 13:20 CET

The EU Court of Auditors is set to conduct an audit of checks on Europe's organic food, to look at the control system governing the production, processing, distribution and import of organic products.

Brussels extends cooperation with UEFA — 22 February 2018, 00:29 CET

The EU Commission and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) signed a new agreement Wednesday to consolidate and strengthen their cooperation in the period up to the end of 2020.

MEPs look to give consumers more choice and greater energy security — 22 February 2018, 00:14 CET

An EU Parliament committee approved Wednesday an energy package offering more competition in the electricity market, better information for consumers and plans to tackle shortages during crises.

EU fines car parts, car carrier cartels EUR 546m — 21 February 2018, 22:55 CET

The EU Commission fined Wednesday seven car supplying companies - shippers and suppliers of spark plug and braking systems - a total of EUR 546 million for taking part in four different cartels relating to cars.

Auditors assess EU wind and solar power initiatives — 21 February 2018, 00:26 CET

The European Court of Auditors published Tuesday a background paper with details of its enquiry into EU and Member State support for wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation.

Poland's Bialowieza Forest logging 'infringes EU law' — 21 February 2018, 22:55 CET

It is unlawful to increase logging in Poland's Bialowieza Forest, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice confirmed in an opinion issued Tuesday. The Court's final judgement is due in March.

MEPs call for worldwide ban on animal testing of cosmetics — 21 February 2018, 22:56 CET

The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a worldwide ban on the animal testing of cosmetics before 2023, the European Parliament's Environment Committee said on Tuesday.

EU auditors call for greater financial accountability — 16 February 2018, 22:59 CET

The European Court of Auditors called Thursday for an increased emphasis on value added in the EU Budget, along with more flexibility and transparency, and greater accountability.

Social media giants not doing enough to protect users: EU — 20 February 2018, 21:03 CET

Social media giants, including Facebook and Twitter, are dragging their feet in responding to requests from the EU Commission and national consumer authorities to comply with EU consumer rules.

Employment in EU better than expected in 2017 — 12 February 2018, 17:47 CET

Backed by robust economic growth, employment in the EU continued to rise more strongly than expected in the third quarter of 2017, while unemployment figures declined further according to new figures.

MEPs call on Turkey to lift state of emergency, denounce arrests — 08 February 2018, 18:30 CET

MEPs denounced Thursday the arrests by the Turkish government as it attempts to censor criticism over its military assault of Afrin, and expressed serious concern about its humanitarian consequences.

EU slaps anti-dumping duties on Chinese corrosion resistant steel — 08 February 2018, 18:30 CET

The EU Commission imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on corrosion resistant steel from China Thursday, after a probe confirmed that Chinese producers were dumping the product on the EU market.

Louboutin loses 'red sole' case in EU's top Court — 08 February 2018, 14:30 CET

A trade mark combining colour and shape may be refused or declared invalid on the grounds set out under EU trade mark law, the advocate-general of the EU's top Court declared Wednesday.

Electricity backup systems given EC green light — 08 February 2018, 14:33 CET

The European Commission approved Wednesday under EU State aid rules six electricity capacity mechanisms in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland, to safeguard security of electricity supply.

Size of Euro-Parliament to shrink after Brexit — 07 February 2018, 18:19 CET

The European Parliament should shrink from 751 to 705 MEPs when the UK leaves the EU, whilst leaving room for possible new countries joining in the future, following a vote by MEPs on Wednesday.

Euro economy shows robust growth as forecasts revised upwards — 08 February 2018, 16:47 CET

Growth rates for the eurozone and the EU beat expectations last year as the transition from economic recovery to expansion continues, according to Wednesday's EU Winter Interim Economic Forecast.

MEPs agree reform of EU emissions trading system — 06 February 2018, 23:17 CET

Members of the European Parliament approved Tuesday a law to strengthen EU curbs on CO2 emissions from industry, with a view to delivering on pledges made under the Paris climate accord.

MEPs vote to end barriers to cross-border shopping — 06 February 2018, 21:04 CET

The European Parliament ratified an agreement Tuesday to make it easier for consumers to buy from a website based in another EU country, without the obstacle of unjustified geo-blocking practices.

EU enlargement door opens for Western Balkans — 06 February 2018, 18:14 CET

The EU Commission set out a new strategy for the Western Balkans Tuesday, spelling out priorities and areas for closer cooperation, and areas for reform with a view to 'a credible enlargement perspective'.

Dual quality food testing procedure ready in April — 06 February 2018, 18:16 CET

The common testing methodology for dual quality of food, developed by the EU's Joint-Research Centre, is to be ready in April, European Commissioner Vera Jourova announced on Friday.