EU Chemicals Agency starts work - EUbusiness Week no 403

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 403
6 June 2008
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. ECB turns 10 but still faces tough inflation test
2. EU mulls windfall tax on oil companies
3. Germany under fresh EU pressure over VW law
4. Vets from 26 EU nations oppose lifting US chicken ban
5. Cyprus drops legal action against EU over aid to north
6. EU, China launch scheme to teach Chinese culture

Publisher's Note
================
The first task of the European Chemicals Agency, launched
this week in Helsinki, was to accept pre-registrations of
chemicals under the EU's REACH (Registration, Evaluation
and Authorisation of Chemicals) legislation.

REACH is the largest legislative project adopted by the EU in
recent years. Its aim is to cut health risks associated with
everyday chemicals by requiring companies to register safety
information with the new agency, and to substitute dangerous
chemicals with safer alternatives.

Some 200,000 pre-registrations are expected, and the agency's
staff have a challenging task ahead. The reward can be an
agency that becomes the heart of European chemical expertise,
as well as a driver of innovation for Europe's chemicals
industry.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Chemicals/reach.19

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. ECB turns 10 but still faces tough inflation test
----------------------------------------------------
European finance and political leaders toasted in unison the
European Central Bank's tenth anniversary on Monday even
though record eurozone inflation crashed the party.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212400922.11
EU food inflation at record highs
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212405422.41
Eurozone business activity close to four-year low
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212573726.17

2. EU mulls windfall tax on oil companies
-----------------------------------------
An Italian proposal to hit oil companies with a special
windfall tax has gained EU traction, with several countries
willing to consider the measure as a response to record
fuel prices.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212508923.59

3. Germany under fresh EU pressure over VW law
----------------------------------------------
The Commission on Thursday ratcheted up pressure on Germany
by taking fresh legal action over a disputed law shielding
national car maker Volkswagen from takeovers.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212661024.94

4. Vets from 26 EU nations oppose lifting US chicken ban
--------------------------------------------------------
Veterinary experts from 26 EU member states are opposed to
poultry washed in chlorine and support an import ban on US
chicken.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212500824.92

5. Cyprus drops legal action against EU over aid to north
---------------------------------------------------------
Cyprus says it is withdrawing legal action taken against the
Commission over the funding of projects in the Turkish
Cypriot north of the divided island.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212509822.63

6. EU, China launch scheme to teach Chinese culture
---------------------------------------------------
The Chinese government is to pay for European teachers to
visit the country to improve their knowledge of its language
and culture, under a new project launched in Brussels Monday.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212416223.5

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Inside the EU Institutions
==========================

Council Watch
-------------
Immigration: EU nations on Thursday approved tough new rules
on expelling visa-overstayers which could see them banned
for five years if they resist.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212661922.5
EU plays down concerns about new US travel restrictions
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212666436.87
EU to seek compromise on splitting up energy groups
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212600743.2
EU seals air passenger data deal with Australia
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212689825.81
Slovenia apologies to EU over nuclear alert error
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212677222.05
Ireland set to say 'no' to EU Lisbon treaty: poll
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212697096.01
Belgian finance minister 'available' to head Eurogroup
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212670929.16
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Money laundering: the Commission threatened to haul 15
countries before an EU court on Thursday for dragging their
feet on implementing EU anti-money laundering rules.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212670925.24
Brussels defends issuing nuclear alert
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212671823.2
EU chief hails 'historic' step for Obama
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212677231.51
EC claims farm aid can help global food crisis
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212603505.89
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Expenses: MEP Giles Chichester on Thursday stood down as head
of British conservatives at the Parliament after admitting
breaking assembly rules on expenses.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212688923.02

This week, the Industry Committee confirmed its support for
liberalisation of the gas market along the lines of a recent
Commission compromise proposal. At their mini-plenary in
Brussels, MEPs urged more choice and lower costs for bank
customers; and adopted a legislative report on common rules
for access to the market for coach and bus which would allow
drivers of tourist coaches from 1 January 2009 to work up to
12 consecutive days under certain strict conditions.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
6 Jun, Energy Council
9-10 Jun, Employment, Social, Health, Consumer Council
9 Jun, EU Troika - China
10 Jun, EU - USA Summit
12-13 Jun, Transport, Telecoms Council
13-14 Jun, G8 Finance Ministers' Meeting
14-17 Jun, ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting
16-17 Jun, General Affairs and External Relations Council

The Week Ahead: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/EUcalendar
Long-term diary: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/eu-diary

EUbusiness Community
====================

Comment
-------
Commenting on our piece "Russia's Georgia policy threatens
Caucasus stability: Ferrero-Waldner", Abkhazia Citizen writes:

"Please consider these points. We are not a rogue nation
looking to create problems in the region. We simply want what
our neighbors enjoy: peace, stability, and prosperity in a
land that has been the home of our ancestors and beyond for
several millennia. Why is that so hard for the world,
including Georgia, to accept? Especially after all the pain
and chaos it has caused our people? It truly is not fair.
For once, be fair!"
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212580921.46
Discussion: http://www.eubusiness.com/discussion

EUpress
-------
Charter conference: SMEs must not be treated as second-class
http://www.eubusiness.com/SMEs/ueapme.08-06-04

Friends of the Earth: scrap biofuel targets to ease food crisis
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/foe.08-06-02
Press: http://www.eubusiness.com/press

Reach Europe's decision-makers! Publish your organisation's
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EUguides
--------
Evaluation of business safety measures in toy supply chain
http://www.eubusiness.com/Consumer/toy-supply-chain

112, the single European emergency number
http://www.eubusiness.com/Living_in_EU/112-emergency-guide

ECHA - Implementing REACH in practice
http://www.eubusiness.com/Chemicals/echa-reach-guide
More guides: http://www.eubusiness.com/guides

EUevents
--------
7 Jul, Toulouse: Knowledge for growth
http://www.eubusiness.com/events/knowledge-for-growth.08

11 Sep, Brussels: SME Banking in Europe
http://www.eubusiness.com/jacobfleming
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

EUjobs
------
Policy Coordinator, European Anti-Poverty Network
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/eapn-job.08-06-02

Chair in European Union Law, European University Institute
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/eui-job.08-06-01
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

EUlinks
-------
Nuclear Issues - Emergency Preparedness
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/nuclear-emergencies-eu

Europe in Figures - Eurostat Yearbook 2008
http://www.eubusiness.com/Factsfig/eurostat-yearbook.08
More links: http://www.eubusiness.com/links

Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
Oil futures leap as dollar skids against euro 5-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212680822.94
EU 'to take legal action' against Italy over Alitalia 5-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212681743.62
EU drops case against Sweden over broadcasting monopoly 5-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212663722.72
Europeans 'paying dearly' for limits on Brazilian beef 5-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212621421.7
EU greenlights state bailout for SachsenLB 4-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212580035.36
European fishermen in Brussels for fuel price protest 4-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212566523.34
EU stands by Finland in Russian wood duty conflict 3-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212499026.66
EU gives EUR 40m to fight against infectious diseases 2-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/edctp.08-06-02
Oil shock brings cheer at last to EU's carbon market 1-Jun
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1212290223.46

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