EU web links

A collection of links to web sites of the European Union institutions and other European business web sites.

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EFSA identifies risks to bees from neonicotinoids — 16 January 2013, 15:50 CET

EFSA scientists have identified a number of risks posed to bees by three neonicotinoid insecticides. The Authority was asked by the European Commission to assess the risks associated with the use of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam as seed treatment or as granules, with particular regard to: their acute and chronic effects on bee colony survival and development; their effects on bee larvae and bee behaviour; and the risks posed by sub-lethal doses of the three substances. In some cases EFSA was unable to finalise the assessments due to shortcomings in the available data.

Euro VI - emissions from heavy duty vehicles — 04 January 2013, 17:28 CET

The work of the EU on reducing emissions is in progress for heavy duty vehicles (buses and trucks) with the Euro VI standards. The European Commission's proposal for a regulation on a new norm called Euro VI, aimed at reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matters from trucks and buses as of January 2013, was adopted in June 2009. As follow-up to the adoption of the above-mentioned regulation, a first implementing act, gathering the detailed technical aspects needed for certification, like for instance the requirements for the conduction of the tests to be performed at type-approval and during in service conformity, as well as a second implementing act on access to on-board diagnosis systems and repair and maintenance information, have been adopted during 2011. In parallel, a 06 series of amendments to UNECE Regulation 49, carrying over the European Euro VI legislation into the UNECE acquis, has been approved in the January 2012 session of the Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE). This will allow, in the near future, to accept type-approval certificates awarded according to UNECE Regulation 49, as equivalent to certificates based on the European legislation.

Enhanced administrative cooperation in the field of (direct) taxation — 17 December 2012, 23:11 CET

On 6th December 2012 the European Commission adopted a Regulation laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Directive 2011/16/EU (Commission Implementing Regulation 1156/2012). It includes various provisions on the standard forms and means of communication that Member States will use when exchanging information. The national laws, regulations and administrative provisions transposing the Directive will enter into force on 1.1.2013, with the exception of the provisions relating to automatic exchange of information which will enter into force on 1.1.2015. Council Directive 2011/16/EU is based on a proposal presented by, the European Commission on 2 February 2009 to replace Council Directive 77/799/EEC concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of Member States in the field of direct taxation and taxation of insurance premiums (COM(2009)29 final pdfand the press release IP/09/201 Choose translations of the previous link). The ECOFIN Council of 15th February 2011 formally adopted the new Council Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and repealing Directive 77/799/EEC. The Directive was published in the Official Journal on 11 March 2011 (Council Directive 2011/16/EU and the press release).

European Insolvency Law — 13 December 2012, 18:21 CET

European Insolvency Law is laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000 on insolvency proceedings (the "Insolvency Regulation"), which has applied since 31 May 2002. The Regulation contains rules on jurisdiction, recognition and applicable law and provides for the coordination of insolvency proceedings opened in several EU Member States. The Regulation applies whenever the debtor has assets or creditors in more than one Member State.

Company Law and Corporate Governance — 12 December 2012, 17:09 CET

Harmonisation of the rules relating to company law and corporate governance, as well as to accounting and auditing, is seen as essential for creating an EU Single Market for Financial Services and products. In the fields of company law and corporate governance, objectives include: providing equivalent protection for shareholders and other parties concerned with companies; ensuring freedom of establishment for companies throughout the EU; fostering efficiency and competitiveness of business; promoting cross-border cooperation between companies in different EU Member States; and stimulating discussions between Member States on the modernisation of company law and corporate governance.

New portal on Trans-European Network with dynamic maps — 28 November 2012, 16:24 CET

The European Commission launched on 28 November an online portal allowing citizens and businesses to access up to date information on the advancement of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) through satellite-based dynamic maps, facts, figures and various audio-visual and interactive elements. In practice, it will allow users to see the live development of the TEN-T network in the region of their interest.

European Cloud Computing Strategy — 20 November 2012, 13:19 CET

In September 2012, the European Commission adopted a strategy for "Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe". The strategy outlines actions to deliver a net gain of 2.5 million new European jobs, and an annual boost of EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020. The strategy is designed to speed up and increase the use of cloud computing across the economy. This strategy was the result of an analysis of the overall policy, regulatory and technology landscapes and of a wide consultation of stakeholders, undertaken to identify what needs to be done to make the most of the potential that the cloud has to offer us. This document sets out the most important and urgent additional actions. It represents a political commitment of the Commission and serves as a call on all stakeholders to participate in the implementation of these actions.

Database: women & men in decision making — 14 November 2012, 17:23 CET

The European Commission established a database monitoring the numbers of men and women in key decision-making positions in order to provide reliable statistics that can be used to monitor the current situation and trends through time. The database covers positions of power and influence in politics, public administration, the judiciary, and various other key areas of the economy. Data on political decision-making at European and national level are updated quarterly Choose translations of the previous link, whilst all other data are updated annually, though updates to political data at regional level are included in quarterly updates in case of elections. Figures are available for decision-makers at European, national and regional level (politics only) and currently cover 34 countries – the 27 EU Member States, one acceding country (Croatia), three candidate countries (Iceland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey), one of the potential candidate countries (Serbia) and the remaining EEA countries (Liechtenstein and Norway).

Checklist for EU innovation and research funding — 08 November 2012, 14:01 CET

In order to determine which programme or funding source is the most relevant to support your idea, Cordis has identified 6 key questions that will guide you to the relevant funding opportunities: Am I eligible for a given programme or funding source? Is my type of research, innovation or enterprise development activity eligible? What about my timeframe? What type of financial support can I obtain? Who else is involved in the project? Can I apply for funding in my location?

EU visa policy — 07 November 2012, 17:03 CET

The border-free Schengen Area cannot function efficiently without a common visa policy which facilitates the entry of legal visitors into the EU, while strengthening internal security. The EU has set up a common visa policy for short stays, i.e. stays up to three months, which is applied through the delivery of so-called "Schengen visas". In 2011, the present 26 Schengen States issued around 12.6 million Schengen visas.

SME Performance Review — 16 October 2012, 14:08 CET

The SME Performance Review represents one of the main tools employed by the European Commission to monitor and assess EU Member States’ performance in implementing the Small Business Act. Launched by the European Commission in 2008, it represents a comprehensive source of information on the performance of SMEs in Europe and uses a wide range of success indicators, focusing most notably on the measures in the SBA Action Plan.

2012 Strategy and Progress reports — 11 October 2012, 23:20 CET

On 10 October 2012 the European Commission adopted its 'Enlargement package' - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This year's package includes the 2012 Enlargement Strategy Paper Choose translations of the previous link which sets out the way forward for the coming year and takes stock of the progress made over the last twelve months by each candidate country and potential candidate. In addition to this strategy paper, the package contains the so-called Progress Reports in which the Commission services present their assessment of what each candidate and potential candidate have achieved over the last year, the Feasibility Study on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo and a Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Croatia.

The ERASMUS Programme - studying in Europe and more — 02 October 2012, 21:15 CET

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012, ERASMUS is the most successful student exchange programme in the world. Each year, more than 230 000 students study abroad thanks to the Erasmus programme. It also offers the opportunity for student placements in enterprises, university staff teaching and training, and it funds co-operation projects between higher education institutions across Europe.

New proposals on capital requirements (CRD IV Package) — 01 October 2012, 16:19 CET

On 20 July 2011, the Commission adopted a legislative package to strengthen the regulation of the banking sector. The proposal replaces the current Capital Requirements Directives (2006/48 and 2006/49) with a Directive and a Regulation and constitutes another major step towards creating a sounder and safer financial system. The directive governs the access to deposit-taking activities while the regulation establishes the prudential requirements institutions need to respect.

International Tax Guide Serbia (Deloitte) — 04 September 2012, 19:52 CET

Country Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Serbia.

Russo-British Chamber of Commerce — 04 September 2012, 19:16 CET

Business news and investment information about Russia and the Russian economy

Starting a business in Russia — 04 September 2012, 19:07 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Russia.

International Tax Guide Montenegro (Deloitte) — 03 September 2012, 21:54 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Iceland.

Marine knowledge 2020 — 29 August 2012, 19:26 CET

Marine Knowledge 2020 brings together marine data from different sources with the aim of: Helping industry, public authorities and researchers find the data and make more effective use of them to develop new products and services. Improving our understanding of how the seas behave.

International Tax Guide Iceland (Deloitte) — 24 August 2012, 12:10 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Iceland.

International Tax Guide Bosnia and Herzegovina (Deloitte) — 23 August 2012, 23:51 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

International Tax Guide Belarus (Deloitte) — 23 August 2012, 23:25 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Belarus.

International Tax Guide Albania (Deloitte) — 21 August 2012, 12:41 CET

Business guide from Deloitte featuring information on Taxation in Albania.

Water Framework Directive and monitoring — 03 August 2012, 16:27 CET

The Water Framework Directive covers all waters, including inland waters (surface water and groundwater) and transitional and coastal waters. Article 8 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out the requirements for the monitoring of surface water status, groundwater status and protected areas: "Monitoring programmes are required to establish a coherent and comprehensive overview of water status within each river basin district." The objective of monitoring is to establish an overview within each River Basin District. It should also permit the classification of all surface water bodies into one of five classes and groundwater into one of two classes.

CE Marking — 01 August 2012, 18:52 CET

What do your cell phone, your TV and your kid’s teddy bear have in common? If you have purchased these items within the European Economic Area ("EEA", consisting of the 27 EU Member States, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), you will find two letters on all of these products: CE. Product manufacturers are familiar with this marking, as in many cases they have to affix it to their products. As a consumer, you may know this marking, as you see it on many products you purchase every day. The CE marking is required for many products. It states that the product is assessed before being placed on the market and meets EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. On this website the European Commission provides economic operators and consumers with information on how the process of affixing the CE marking on a product works. As a manufacturer, this website will lead you through the process of affixing the CE marking to your specific product, by clearly illustrating the key steps to undertake from the beginning to the trading of the product. If you are a distributor or importer you will have to know the requirements that the products you are importing or distributing must meet to be traded freely within the EEA.