EU web links

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

* * Premium Membership - all your content on EUbusiness.com for a year! * *

Interim Forecast February 2012 — 23 February 2012, 12:32 CET

The unexpected stalling of the recovery in late 2011 is set to extend into the first two quarters of 2012. However, modest growth is predicted to return in the second half of the year.

Consultation on the future of European Company Law — 21 February 2012, 00:14 CET

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to seek views from all stakeholders on European company law from 2012 onwards.

DOOR: EU database of agricultural products and foods — 17 February 2012, 18:29 CET

Database of agricultural products and foods registered or awaiting possible registration as PDO (Protected Designations of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indications) or TSG (Traditional Specialities Guaranteed).

Communication on "High-Performance Computing": Europe's place in a Global Race — 15 February 2012, 21:47 CET

High Performance Computing (HPC) is critical for industries that rely on precision and speed, such as automotive and aviation, and the health sector. Access to rapid simulations carried out by ever-improving super computers can be the difference between life and death; between new jobs and profits or bankruptcy.

European Business Air News Magazine - February 2012 — 14 February 2012, 11:53 CET

European Business Air News is a magazine for all business aviation professionals throughout the continent, published monthly from February to December. This month's issue

European Energy Regulators — 12 February 2012, 22:22 CET

The Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) is the voice of Europe's national regulators of electricity and gas at EU and international level. Through CEER, a non-for-profit association, the national regulators cooperate and exchange best practice. A key objective of the CEER is to facilitate the creation of a single, competitive, efficient and sustainable EU internal energy market that works in the public interest. CEER works closely with and supports the work of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). ACER, which has its seat in Ljubljana, is an EU Agency with its own staff and resources. CEER, based in Brussels, deals with many complementary (and not overlapping) issues to ACER's work such as international issues, smart grids, sustainability and customer issues.

Europe's Energy Portal — 12 February 2012, 22:20 CET

Europe's Energy Portal is a commercial organization, strongly rooted within the EU, but run independently from the European Commission. The Portal was founded in 2005 and has grown into a real online beacon, a trusted environment accessible to anyone with an interest in energy. In particular energy related to Europe and the member states of the European Union.

Regulatory framework for medical devices — 09 February 2012, 20:34 CET

Based on the New Approach, rules relating to the safety and performance of medical devices were harmonised in the EU in the 1990s. The core legal framework consists of 3 directives: Directive 90/385/EEC regarding active implantable medical devices, Directive 93/42/EEC regarding medical devices and Directive 98/79/EC regarding in vitro diagnostic medical devices. They aim at ensuring a high level of protection of human health and safety and the good functioning of the Single Market. These 3 main directives have been supplemented over time by several modifying and implementing directives, including the last technical revision brought about by Directive 2007/47/EC.

European Foundation — 08 February 2012, 22:35 CET

The European Commission has presented a proposal for a European Foundation Statute in order to facilitate the cross-border activities of public benefit purpose foundations and make it easier for them to support public benefit causes across the EU.

White Paper on Sport — 02 February 2012, 21:33 CET

WHITE PAPER ON SPORT & COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT "BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT"

European Railway Agency — 25 January 2012, 18:46 CET

The construction of a safe, modern integrated railway network is one of the EU’s major priorities. Railways must become more competitive and offer high-quality, end-to-end services without being restricted by national borders. The European Railway Agency was set up to help create this integrated railway area by reinforcing safety and interoperability. The Agency also acts as the system authority for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) project, which has been set up to create unique signalling standards throughout Europe.

EU business early warning tool — 24 January 2012, 19:11 CET

This tool prepared by the European Commission offers a preventive screening of your business that might save you a lot of time and money in the future. It helps you to react to warning signals and to think about how to prevent problems in the first place.

eBSN eBusiness Solutions Guide — 24 January 2012, 19:12 CET

This web-based guide is created by the European Commission as part of the European eBusiness Support Network (eBSN). It provides a review of the eBusiness and IT solutions market and supports companies and consultants to find and select appropriate software products, solutions, and service providers.

European Financial Transparency System — 23 January 2012, 23:44 CET

The European Financial Transparency System (FTS) contains a searchable database of all the names of the beneficiaries of billions worth of grants and other forms of support, awarded by the European Commission every year, either directly or through executive agencies set up to help it run EU funded programmes. As of the year 2009, the site also contains procurement contracts and other administrative expenditure of the Commission, excluding staff costs.

Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015 - EC Communication — 19 January 2012, 17:14 CET

The European Commission has adopted a new four-year strategy (2012-2015) that aims to further improve the welfare of animals in the European Union.

Consumer credit sweep — 12 January 2012, 23:16 CET

An "EU sweep" is an action co-ordinated by the European Commission, and carried out simultaneously by the national consumer enforcement authorities in the Member States, Norway and Iceland. In a given week each year, consumer authorities check hundreds of sites in a particular sector in order to see where consumer rights are being compromised or denied. When they find that a website does not comply with EU consumer law, they then contact the operator and ask for corrective action. Those who fail to correct illegal practices can face fines or be ordered to close their websites.

European Commission measures to tackle cross-border inheritance tax problems — 15 December 2011, 17:31 CET

EU citizens who inherit foreign property are frequently faced with a tax bill from more than one Member State. In fact, in extreme cases the total value of a cross-border inherited asset might even have to be paid in tax, because several Member States may claim taxing rights on the same inheritance or tax foreign inheritances more heavily than local inheritances. Citizens may be forced to sell inherited assets, just to cover the taxes, and small businesses may face transfer difficulties on the death of their owners. To tackle these problems, the Commission on 15 December 2011 adopted a comprehensive package on inheritance taxation. Through a Communication (COM/2011/864), Recommendation (C/2011/8819) and Working Paper, the Commission analyses the problems and presents solutions related to cross-border inheritance tax in the EU.

European Union Register of nutrition and health claims made on food — 07 December 2011, 23:16 CET

This European Union Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods (“the Register”) has been established as foreseen in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and is updated regularly. Some sections of this Register are missing and will be completed, as appropriate, following the procedures detailed in the Regulation and depending on the applications for authorisation of health claims.

Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain — 30 November 2011, 16:45 CET

The European Commission set up a High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain composed mainly of representatives of selected Member States, of European companies dealing with food production, processing or distribution, of professional associations and of non-governmental organisations representing the citizens' expectations. Vice-President Tajani is leading this exercise together with his fellow Commissioners in charge of Internal Market and Services, Health and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and Rural development.

European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group — 27 November 2011, 15:01 CET

ENSREG establishes a 10-year indicative schedule for International Peer Review Missions in EU Member States. The Nuclear Safety Directive requires that the EU Member States shall, at least every 10 years, arrange for periodic self-assessments of their national framework and competent regulatory authorities and invite an international peer review of relevant segments of their national framework and/or authorities with the aim of continuously improving nuclear safety.

EU ETS: Commission proposes two draft regulations on monitoring, reporting and verification — 24 November 2011, 00:16 CET

The European Commission has submitted to the Climate Change Committee two draft regulations, one for monitoring and reporting and one for accreditation and verification in phase 3 of the EU Emissions Trading System. These regulations form part of a series of implementing provisions (auctioning regulation, benchmarking decision etc.) that need to be put in place ahead of the start of the third trading period in 2013. The submission of these draft regulations has been preceded by extensive stakeholder consultation.

Annual Growth Survey 2012 — 23 November 2011, 17:21 CET

The key message of the 2012 Annual Growth Survey is that, faced with a deteriorating economic and social situation, more efforts are needed to put Europe back on track and sustain growth and jobs. The Survey calls for the EU and Member States to focus on five priorities: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration. The AGS includes a list of pending or future proposals aimed at boosting growth, which the Commission wants to be fast-tracked through the EU legislative process.

Budget figures for 2012 now available — 22 November 2011, 17:45 CET

The exact budget figures for 2012 are now available. They reflect the agreement reached by the European Parliament's delegation and the Council of Ministers on Friday 18 November. The Parliament's plenary vote is scheduled for 1 December.

Sharks - EC website — 21 November 2011, 15:26 CET

Sharks, rays and chimaeras (chondrichthyans, commonly referred to as 'sharks') are ancient species that play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Since the mid-1980s, they have been under increasingly intense fishing pressure due to higher demand for shark products (meat, fins, skin, cartilage, etc.), especially in Asian markets. This over-exploitation affects populations that are generally fragile and is leading some species to the brink of extinction.

Immigration portal — 18 November 2011, 15:35 CET

If you are a citizen from a country outside the European Union wishing to migrate to a country inside the European Union, this site has useful information for you. Your views are welcome and you can contact us to suggest any improvements. If you are an EU citizen wishing to move to another EU country, please visit Your Europe Portal instead.