EU News

European Union Business News from EUbusiness.com

EU restricts imports of plants from China — 11 May 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Union has decided to impose stricter measures for the import from China of plants hosting the harmful citrus long horn beetle, an insect that is not native to Europe and can attack a wide range of plants.

EU ministers adopt rules to prevent injuries to healthcare workers — 11 May 2010, 17:39 CET

At a meeting of the EU Council of Education, Youth and Culture today, Ministers adopted a directive aimed at achieving the safest possible working environment for healthcare workers through prevention from injuries.

EU steers its way towards intelligent transport systems — 10 May 2010, 21:44 CET

A coherent EU-wide framework for interoperable transport systems is the aim of a proposal adopted by EU transport ministers today. Following negotiations with the European Parliament, the European Council today approved a proposal for a directive on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the field of road transport.

EU approves acquisition of 50Hertz by Elia and Industry Funds Management — 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has authorised under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over the German transmission system operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH by Elia System Operator SA/NV of Belgium and Industry Funds Management Pty Ltd (IFM) of Australia.

EU greenlights Otto's acquisition of various Quelle assets — 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by the German Otto Group of certain assets of the Swiss home-shopping companies Quelle Versand AG i.L. (in liquidation) and Spengler Versand AG.

Commission to cut research funding red tape — 07 May 2010, 23:36 CET

The European Commission has set out its plans to simplify the procedures for taking part in EU-funded research projects. The Commission hopes that cutting red tape in this way will entice the very best researchers to get involved in the framework programmes.

Commission puts ITER funding in spotlight — 07 May 2010, 23:28 CET

The European Commission on 5 May adopted a communication justifying the creation of a sustainable financial framework for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). EU Member States should provide financial support to the facility, whose expenditure is EUR 4.5 billion more than the initial EUR 2.7 billion planned, the European Commission said.

EU to revise competition rules for motor vehicle distribution and repair — 07 May 2010, 21:37 CET

On May 26, the European Commission is due to adopt new competition rules for agreements between vehicle manufacturers and their authorised dealers, repairers and spare parts distributors.

Harmonised EU rules to foster high-speed wireless Internet — 07 May 2010, 14:02 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Decision establishing harmonised technical rules for Member States on the allocation of radio frequencies in the 800 MHz band that contribute to the deployment of high-speed wireless internet services by avoiding harmful interference.

Euro-MPs urge standard chargers for electric cars — 07 May 2010, 14:03 CET

Standard chargers for electric cars would be a major step towards a single European electric vehicle market, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday.

Commission to ease bottlenecks to financing of smaller businesses — 07 May 2010, 08:47 CET

To address the difficult financing situation of SMEs, EU Commissioners proposed today to upgrade the SME Finance Forum into a high-level dialogue between financial institutions and SMEs. The SME Finance Forum 2010, being held in Brussels today, focuses on new strategies for improving access to finance for SMEs.

"Bulk data" transfers to the US against EU law, warn MEPs — 05 May 2010, 22:46 CET

Euro-MPs warned today that any new agreement on providing bank data to the United States must avoid "bulk data" transfers until they can be processed within the EU.

Euro-MPs urge tightening of animal welfare rules — 05 May 2010, 22:49 CET

More frequent inspections and tougher penalties will be needed to enforce the next EU Animal Welfare Action Plan, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament today.

Sweden told to comply with EU cosmetics rules — 05 May 2010, 22:52 CET

The European Commission has taken further steps against Sweden for infringing EU law on cosmetic products by introducing excessive requirements in the notification of such products.

Commission action makes setting up business in Ireland easier — 05 May 2010, 22:50 CET

Following changes to Irish legislation that remove obstacles to setting up a business in Ireland, the European Commission has closed its infringement case.

Incoming British government 'must tackle rising debt' — 05 May 2010, 17:56 CET

EU forecasts on the eve of the British general election put Britain under the highest public deficit levels in Europe, with Brussels warning the next government must focus first on the shortfall.

E.ON's commitments open up German gas market to competitors — 04 May 2010, 23:10 CET

The European Commission has adopted a decision that renders legally binding commitments offered by E.ON to effectively open up access to the German gas market.

First steps towards reform of EU's Common Fisheries Policy — 04 May 2010, 23:13 CET

The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy begins today, stated the Spanish Minister for the Environment, as the Informal Meeting of Fisheries Ministers in Vigo, Spain, got under way on Tuesday.

Euro-MPs urge more time for combustion plants to comply with emission limits — 04 May 2010, 23:15 CET

Certain combustion plants, including some fossil-fuel power stations, should be allowed extra time to meet stricter rules on industrial emissions, Euro-MPs said today. The proposal will be voted in July.

EU proposes rules for fishery imports from Greenland — 03 May 2010, 23:28 CET

The European Commission proposes rules for imports of fishery products from Greenland into the EU. These rules will affect fish, fishery products as well as by-products derived from these sources.

Incentive driven pharmaceutical prescription is lawful, EU Court rules — 06 May 2010, 12:44 CET

The European Court of Justice has ruled that public authorities may offer financial incentives to induce doctors to prescribe cheaper medicinal products. However, those authorities are required, first, to ensure that the incentive scheme is based on non-discriminatory objective criteria and, second, to make public, inter alia, the therapeutic evaluations relating to the scheme

EU Court imposes fines of EUR 23.44 million on thread cartel — 06 May 2010, 12:42 CET

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld a EUR 23.44 million fine originaly imposed by the Commission in 2005 on 5 undertakings for their participation in cartels on the industrial threads markets.

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy high on the EU's agenda — 30 April 2010, 21:50 CET

European Fisheries ministers and stakeholders alike will be discussing the future shape of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy at two major events in Spain over the next days.

New social security regulations enter into force in the EU — 30 April 2010, 21:51 CET

On 1 May 2010, new regulations on social security coordination in the European Union enter into force. The aim is to make life easier for Europeans on the move.

EU updates aviation security rules — 29 April 2010, 23:56 CET

New measures to streamline and simplify the EU framework for aviation security, first put in place in 2002 after the September 11 attacks, came into force today.