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Business news and information from the European Union

Equal pay for equal work for EU workers posted abroad — 30 May 2018, 18:25 CET

Workers posted temporarily to another EU country must get equal pay for equal work in the same place, under revised rules on the posting of workers given the green light by the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Ritual slaughter can only take place in approved abattoirs: EU Court — 30 May 2018, 00:07 CET

The European Court of Justice confirmed Tuesday that ritual slaughter without stunning may take place only in an approved slaughterhouse, in a case referred by Belgium's Flemish region.

EU pharma waiver to boost generic drugs exports — 30 May 2018, 00:05 CET

The EU Commission proposed Monday to adjust intellectual property rules to help Europe's pharmaceutical companies tap into fast-growing global markets and foster jobs, growth and investments in the EU.

Straws, cotton buds targeted in EU plan to ban single-use plastics — 29 May 2018, 00:25 CET

Plans to tackle marine litter, outlined by the EU Commission Monday, would ban ten single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

Commission tables update to rules on excise duties — 28 May 2018, 23:12 CET

An update of rules governing excise duty on alcohol within the EU, proposed Friday by the Commission, would reduce costs for small alcohol-producing businesses and better protect consumer health.

EU looks to satellites to check farm payments — 28 May 2018, 18:58 CET

The EU Commission adopted new rules Friday which would for the first time expressly allow a range of modern technologies to be used when carrying out checks for CAP payments, including satellite data.

Increase in EU spending on education in emergencies — 25 May 2018, 10:42 CET

The EU Commission adopted Friday a new policy framework to increase humanitarian funding for education in emergencies and crises to 10% of its overall humanitarian aid budget as of 2019.

EU set for new rules for organic farming — 25 May 2018, 10:40 CET

The EU Council adopted new EU rules on organic production and the labelling of organic products Wednesday, with a view to encouraging and simplifying sustainable development of organic production in the EU.

Boost for SME access to EU finance markets — 25 May 2018, 10:23 CET

The European Commission proposed new rules Thursday to give small and medium enterprises (SMEs) easier and cheaper access to financing through public markets to help them expand.

Brussels looks to boost EU market for sustainable finance — 25 May 2018, 00:01 CET

The Commission put forward a new set of proposals on sustainable finance Thursday, hoping more sustainable investments from the EU financial sector can lead the way to a greener economy.

Free EU rail pass for 18-year-olds — 24 May 2018, 23:59 CET

DiscoverEU, a pilot project enabling 15,000 young people to travel free around Europe by train this summer, is to be rolled out by the EU Commission, acting on a European Parliament proposal.

No fine for Gazprom as EU settles antitrust dispute — 24 May 2018, 22:44 CET

The EU Commission settled its antitrust dispute with Russia's Gazprom Thursday, imposing conditions on the state-controlled energy giant to enable free flow of gas 'at competitive prices' in east European gas markets.

Highest support for the EU in 35 years: poll — 24 May 2018, 18:16 CET

Two thirds of Europeans believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU, according to a survey - up three percentage points since the autumn. and the highest percentage since 1983.

EU adopts new car type-approval and emissions testing system — 24 May 2018, 15:49 CET

The EU adopted Wednesday a regulation to reform the type-approval and market surveillance system for motor vehicles in the EU, modernising the current system and improving control tests on car emissions.

Waste and recycling targets pave way for EU's circular economy — 23 May 2018, 23:33 CET

European ministers adopted Tuesday a new waste package which sets out new rules for waste management and establishes legally binding targets for recycling, as part of a wider EU circular economy policy.

EU ministers give green light to trade talks with Australia and New Zealand — 23 May 2018, 23:33 CET

EU trade ministers authorised the opening of talks for free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand Tuesday, which the Commission says could benefit Europe to the tune of EUR 5 billion.

France moves off EU's deficit list, Romania and Hungary warned — 23 May 2018, 23:32 CET

The EU Commission recommended Wednesday that the excessive deficit procedure be closed for France, and warned Hungary and Romania of the need to act early to correct deviations from their fiscal targets.

Telecoms sites misleading customers, EU sweep shows — 23 May 2018, 00:01 CET

Sites offering telecoms services could be infringing EU consumer law, according to results of an EU-wide screening of websites offering fixed/mobile phone, internet, audio and video streaming services.

Summit reinforces EU links with Western Balkans — 17 May 2018, 23:20 CET

A summit between leaders of the Western Balkans and the EU ended Thursday confirming the region's 'European perspective' and a strengthening of cooperation in connectivity, security and the rule of law.

Court upholds EU ban on bee-harming pesticides — 17 May 2018, 21:17 CET

The Commission was right to impose restrictions on the use of three bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, the EU's General Court ruled on Thursday.

Brussels takes legal action against 7 states over air quality — 17 May 2018, 21:09 CET

The EU Commission took legal action to improve air quality in Europe Thursday, stepping up its enforcement against 7 EU Member States for breaching EU rules on air pollution limits and type approval for cars.

EU outlines agenda for safe, clean, connected transport — 17 May 2018, 21:09 CET

The EU Commission outlined a package of measures to modernise Europe's transport system Thursday, with a goal of safer traffic, less polluting vehicles and more advanced technological solutions.

EU will comply with WTO decision on Airbus state aid — 17 May 2018, 13:55 CET

The EU says it will take 'swift action' to ensure it is fully in line with the World Trade Organisation's final decision Tuesday in a dispute brought by the United States concerning state aid for Airbus.

EU moves to tighten cooperation with Cuba — 16 May 2018, 13:02 CET

The EU-Cuba Joint Council met for the first time Tuesday, discussing implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement which has been provisionally applied since November 2017.

EU adopts amended money laundering, terrorist financing rules — 16 May 2018, 00:24 CET

The EU Council adopted Monday a directive strengthening EU rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing - part of an action plan launched after a spate of terrorist attacks in Europe in 2016.