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Business news and information from the European Union

EU - U.S. Privacy Shield goes operational — 04 August 2016, 23:41 CET

From 1 August, companies can sign up to the Privacy Shield with the U.S. Department of Commerce who can verify their privacy policies comply with data protection standards required by the EU-U.S. agreement signed 12 July.

Systemic threat to rule of law in Poland, says EC — 04 August 2016, 23:41 CET

There is a 'systemic threat' to the rule of law in Poland, the European Commission said as it sent the country recommendations over the independence of the country's judiciary.

EU takes action at WTO over Chinese raw materials — 01 August 2016, 23:57 CET

The European Union has launched its third action against China at the World Trade Organization, this time against Chinese restrictions on export of raw materials essential for European industries.

Retiring employee still due annual leave allowance — 21 July 2016, 23:36 CET

An employee ending his employment of his own will is nevertheless entitled to an allowance if he was not able to use up all or part of his right to paid annual leave, the EU Court ruled Wednesday.

ECB holds off action post-Brexit vote — 21 July 2016, 18:32 CET

The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged Thursday, with ECB president Mario Draghi suggesting financial markets had weathered a spike of uncertainty and volatility following the UK's Brexit referendum.

Brussels sticks to its guns on posting of workers — 21 July 2016, 00:47 CET

Following a review of its proposal to revise the Posting of Workers Directive, the EU Commission concluded Wednesday that the proposal does not constitute a breach of the subsidiarity principle.

New EU climate proposal to cut emissions in all sectors — 20 July 2016, 23:32 CET

The European Commission released a new proposal Wednesday to accelerate transition to low-carbon economy by cutting emissions in transport, agriculture and buildings sectors by 2030.

Truck producers hit by record EUR 2.93 bn cartel fine — 19 July 2016, 23:51 CET

The EU Commission on Tuesday fined truck producers - including Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF - a total of EUR 2.93 billion for participating in a cartel and breaking EU antitrust rules.

Transatlantic unity 'never more important' in face of common challenges — 19 July 2016, 23:48 CET

Meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry Monday, EU foreign affairs ministers highlighted the strength of the transatlantic partnership and its importance in addressing foreign and global challenges.

Post-UK vote uncertainty could hit EU recovery — 19 July 2016, 23:23 CET

With markets and exchange rates affected by uncertainty and volatility, the European Commission published Tuesday its first assessment of the economic outlook for the EU after the UK's 23 June referendum.

EU and Asian leaders unite against terrorism — 18 July 2016, 12:37 CET

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) concluded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with a celebration of twenty years of partnership, but with the attack in Nice and the military coup attempt in Turkey high on leaders' minds.

Google's ad practices come under renewed EU fire — 18 July 2016, 12:37 CET

Google's comparison shopping and ads-related practices breach EU rules, the Commission said Thursday as it sent two statements of objections to the American Internet search giant.

Baltic energy sector boosted by EUR 263m EU investment — 18 July 2016, 12:35 CET

The European Union is to invest EUR 263 million in key European energy infrastructure projects, of which the lion's share will support the building of gas infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.

Latvia tops Europe's innovation scoreboard — 14 July 2016, 23:02 CET

EU innovation is catching up with Japan and the US, with Latvia the fastest growing innovator, according to the Commission's 2016 European Innovation Scoreboard released Thursday.

Agri-food trade report 2015: EU is world's top exporter — 14 July 2016, 22:40 CET

The EU confirmed its position as number one agri-food exporter worldwide as agri-food exports reached EUR 129 billion in 2015 - more than 7 per cent of all goods exported from the EU.

EU moves to boost access to venture capital — 14 July 2016, 22:28 CET

The European Commission proposed amendments to the European Venture Capital Funds and to the European Social Entrepreneurship Funds regulations Thursday in a boost for EU capital markets.

MEPs vote for stronger gun control — 14 July 2016, 11:49 CET

Euro-MPs, debating in committee on a draft update of the EU firearms directive, voted Wednesday to introduce stronger controls on 'blank-firing' guns, to prevent them being converted to fire live ammunition.

Requiring removal of Islamic headscarf at work 'discrimination' — 14 July 2016, 00:45 CET

A company policy requiring an employee to remove her Islamic headscarf when in contact with clients is unlawful discrimination, according to the opinion of the EU Court's advocate-general.

EU proposes reform of Europe's asylum policy — 13 July 2016, 23:47 CET

The EU Commission presented Wednesday proposals to reform Europe's common asylum system, with promises of an efficient, fair and humane asylum policy for refugees.

Steel, market economy the focus for EU-China summit — 13 July 2016, 18:04 CET

The European Union and China concluded a two-day summit in Beijing Wednesday, with candid discussion over Europe's troubled steel industry, market economy status for China and human rights.

EU-US data transfer accord enters into force — 13 July 2016, 00:31 CET

The European Union approved Tuesday the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, a special arrangement that replaces the former 'Safe Harbor' agreement to allow transfer of personal data from the EU to the United States.

Brexit overshadows EU-China meeting — 13 July 2016, 00:30 CET

The 18th bilateral summit between the EU and China got under way in Beijing Tuesday, with Brexit overshadowing discussions on political and economic relations as well as global and regional issues.

EU, Monaco sign deal on tax transparency — 12 July 2016, 23:50 CET

The European Union continued its efforts to clamp down on tax evasion Tuesday, signing an agreement with Monaco aimed at improving tax compliance by private savers.

Spain, Portugal face EU sanctions over excessive deficits — 12 July 2016, 23:16 CET

EU finance ministers meeting in Brussels Tuesday backed sanctions against Spain and Portugal for failing to correct their excessive deficits according to their recommendations.

Round 14 of EU - US trade talks under way — 12 July 2016, 16:27 CET

The 14th round of EU talks to agree the huge Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) free trade accord with the United States got under way in Brussels Monday.