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EU's most burdensome laws - EUbusiness Week newsletter 608


08-03-2013

EUbusiness Week 608 top stories: EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision; EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs; Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal; Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice; EU cracks down on illegal timber trade; Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report

This Week's Top Stories

1. EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision
2. EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs
3. Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal
4. Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice
5. EU cracks down on illegal timber trade
6. Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report

Publisher's Note

The Commission this week published results of a consultation on where EU regulation is impeding jobs and growth, with around 1,000 smaller businesses and business organisations identifying their top ten most burdensome EU laws.

SMEs found particular problems with rules on the REACH chemical legislation, Value Added Tax, data protection, waste legislation, labour market legislation, public procurement and the modernised customs code.

The Commission will now evaluate the EU's regulatory acquis for burdens, gaps and inefficiencies, and see where it thinks laws can be revised. Expectations are high, and it is due to announce follow-up actions by June.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision

The European Union has dismissed Bulgarian and Romanian calls to join Europe's Schengen passport-free zone, delaying any vote on the issue until at least the end of this year.
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2. EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs

Even with unemployment at record highs, there are hundreds of thousands of jobs available in information technology that governments and companies must work together to fill, the Commission said on Monday.
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3. Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal

EU governments have delayed a decision to introduce controversial bank bonus caps after Britain, partly backed by Germany, sought adjustments in extra-time negotiations.
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4. Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice

The EU fined Microsoft 561 million euros Wednesday for failing to provide customers with a choice of Internet browser as promised. But it has run into criticism for allowing the US giant to monitor its own commitments.
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5. EU cracks down on illegal timber trade

The Union is cracking down on the timber trade in an effort to curb illegal logging, blamed for a host of ills from social upheaval to environmental and economic damage.
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6. Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report

Emissions from coal-fired power plants in the EU contribute to over 18,000 premature deaths a year and cost an annual EUR 42.8 bn, says a report from the Health and Environment Alliance.
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EUROPEAN LAW

TV streaming: television broadcasters won a significant battle when the European Court of Justice said they can block Internet platforms from streaming their output on the web.
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EU court rejects Polish challenge to CO2 emissions system
Ukraine denies Tymoshenko ally parliament mandate
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

Single market: president Herman Van Rompuy on Thursday issued a damning report card on bloc efforts to complete the single European market, in a summit invitation that appears to echo criticism made by British PM David Cameron.
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Latvia makes formal bid for eurozone entry
Six EU nations vow closer defence ties to offset crisis
Peres urges EU to brand Hezbollah terror group
Council ...

Commission Watch

Myanmar: Thein Sein, on the first-ever visit to Brussels by a Myanmar president, received new pledges Tuesday of EU economic assistance coupled with calls to protect his country's ethnic minorities.
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Croatia, Slovenia find solution over bank row
Commissioner warns over Cyprus euro exit
Commission ...

Parliament Watch

Morocco: four Euro-MPs were denied entry into Morocco Wednesday by police who suspected them of supporting the independence claims of Western Sahara.
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Croatia to hold first EU vote in April
Also this week, human rights and foreign affairs MEPs discussed Bahrain with members of the country's Council of Representatives. Political groups prepared for the next plenary session, which will feature a vote to underline Parliament's position on the EU's long-term budget, and a decision on a mandate to open negotiations with Member States on agriculture policy reform.
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EU diary

11-14 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
11 Mar, Foreign Affairs Council
11 Mar, Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
14-15 Mar, European Council
21 Mar, Environment Council
27-28 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary

RESOURCES

EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms

Other news on EUbusiness this week

EU drops probe into telecoms over mobile standards 7-Mar

 

Eurozone recession deepens 6-Mar

 

EU, Thailand launch free trade talks 6-Mar

 

EU probes German electricity charge exemptions 6-Mar

 

EU begins tracking imports of Chinese solar products 6-Mar

 

Protesting Greek farmers demand lower taxes 5-Mar

 

Japan, EU to launch free trade talks: report 3-Mar
Weekly Diary

The Week Ahead no. 622
Russia's war against Ukraine - EU sanctions against Russia - EU Defence Industrial Strategy - pharmaceutical rules - EU enlargement - support measures for farmers

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