EU News

European Union Business News from EUbusiness.com

Commission will host a public hearing on possible changes to the Capital Requirements Directive — 02 April 2010, 23:19 CET

On 26 April 2010, the European Commission will host a public hearing on further possible changes to the Capital Requirements Directive (“CRD IV”).

New textile labels promise more informed choice for EU — 02 April 2010, 18:10 CET

Members of the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will next week vote on amendments to a draft report on textile names and related labelling.

Commission publishes the new EU Organic Logo — 01 April 2010, 22:17 CET

The European Commission has published the new logo for organic products in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will become obligatory from 1 July 2010.

EC greenlights aid for UK farmers — 30 March 2010, 23:41 CET

The European Commission has authorised a temporary scheme granting aid of up to EUR 15,000 to British farmers.

New EU visa code from 5 April — 31 March 2010, 12:44 CET

A new visa code will become applicable in the European Union from 5 April. The EU Visa Code gathers into a single document all legal provisions governing decisions on visas.

Mergers: Commission clears Cisco's proposed acquisition of Tandberg, subject to conditions — 30 March 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Tandberg, a vendor of videoconferencing products with dual headquarters in Norway and in the US, by Cisco of the US. The approval is conditional.

EU proposes stronger measures against human trafficking — 30 March 2010, 17:38 CET

The European Commission today proposed new rules to step up the fight against trafficking in human beings. The new proposal will help to combat modern slavery by ensuring consistency of national rules on crimes and penalties, better assistance for victims and tougher action to prosecute criminals responsible for trafficking.

Mergers: Commission approves the acquisition of an IBM Corp unit — 30 March 2010, 17:40 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by Dassault Systèmes of France of a unit of IBM Corp of the United States that currently distributes its Product Life Management (PLM) software products.

EU backs greater police cooperation to combat organised crime — 29 March 2010, 17:40 CET

At a seminar organised by the European Police College, Antonio Camacho, Spanish Secretary of State for Home Affairs, spoke in favour of increased international cooperation and improved training to fight international and globalised crime.

The Court of Auditors' Annual Activity Report 2009 — 01 April 2010, 15:27 CET

The European Court of Auditors has published its Annual Activity Report for 2009 today.

EU ends antitrust investigation into Baltic shipping pact — 29 March 2010, 17:40 CET

The European Commission has closed an investigation into a potential breach of EU competition rules in the planned "Baltic Max Feeder" scheme for "feeder" vessel owners since the scheme was abandoned.

MEPs urge transaction tax to help developing countries — 25 March 2010, 20:53 CET

EU Member States should bring in a financial transactions tax and consider a temporary debt moratorium for developing countries, says the European Parliament. In a resolution adopted at their plenary session in Brussels today, MEPs said this would help developing countries to cope with the effects of the global financial and economic crisis.

Labelling of farm produce should be compulsory: Euro-MPs — 26 March 2010, 10:14 CET

Legislation should be brought in to make labelling of farm produce compulsory, the European Parliamewnt said in Brussels today. as this will give consumers valuable information about food quality and can boost farmers' competitiveness.

Migrants at sea: MEPs lay guidelines for EU border patrols — 26 March 2010, 10:26 CET

Today, MEPs voted with absolute majority in favour of non-binding EU guidelines saying that border patrols have a moral duty to rescue migrant in distress at sea.

New EU-US negotiations on bank data transfers on the cards — 24 March 2010, 23:42 CET

The Commission today adopted a draft mandate for negotiating bank data transfers with the United States government under the Terrorist Financing Tracking Programme (TFTP). The Commission wants to complete an agreement this summer to limit gaps in security.

EU begins review of Working Time Directive — 25 March 2010, 00:42 CET

The European Commission has requested the views of workers' and employers' representatives on the options for reviewing EU rules on working time. This is the first step towards a comprehensive review of the Working Time Directive.

Lithuania withdraws proposed regulation on telecoms — 26 March 2010, 11:34 CET

On 16 March 2010 the Lithuanian Authority, Ryšių reguliavimo tarnyba (RRT), informed the European Commission that it was withdrawing its proposed measure on network infrastructure access markets. The Commission had earlier this month raised serious doubts about the compatibility of the proposed regulation with the principles of EU competition law.

MEPs adopt a common position on delegated legislation — 26 March 2010, 12:44 CET

On Tuesday, the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee unanimously agreed its position on how the delegation of powers to the European Commission, introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, should be carried out.

EC looks to boost European Company — 25 March 2010, 14:17 CET

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to determine whether changes are needed to make the European Company Statute (SE) work better. With the review of the SE Statute, the Commission is aiming to increase the use of the SE across the EU.

Football clubs eligible for compensation, EU Court rules — 23 March 2010, 20:39 CET

The European Court of Justice has ruled that football clubs who have trained and prepared young players may seek compensation if that player wishes to sign their first contract with a different club within the European Union.

Paying with euros: new Commission recommendation — 23 March 2010, 13:28 CET

The European Commission has adopted a recommendation on the legal tender of the euro banknotes and coins. The recommendation gives useful guiding on many practical questions related to payments with euro banknotes and coins.

EP boost for organ transplants — 23 March 2010, 13:23 CET

Last week, the European Parliament Environment and Public Health Committee approved common European rules on organ transplants, which should make transplants easier, faster and safer. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the proposals on 18 May.

EU innovation scoreboard calls for performance pick-up — 21 March 2010, 00:51 CET

The ninth edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) is out and preliminary data show that the economic crisis impacting Europe is also affecting the progress of innovation across the region. The majority of EU Member States may have posted stronger innovation performance results in 2008, but countries with lower innovation performance levels are likely to be responsible for reversing the convergence process that the EU has undergone in the last few years.

Commission approves acquisition of Edscha by Gestamp Automoción — 20 March 2010, 00:32 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the hinge and control systems unit of Edscha AG of Germany by Gestamp Automoción S.L. of Spain.

Euro-MPs vote to tighten security of gas supplies — 19 March 2010, 23:46 CET

The European Parliament's Industry Committee has proposed a strenthening of gas crisis prevention measures, laying down new requirements for plans to offset any serious disruptions to gas supplies from third countries.