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Business news and information from the European Union

EU to fast-track admission of third-country seasonal workers — 13 July 2010, 23:32 CET

The European Commission has proposed a fast-track procedure for admission of third-country seasonal workers. This would be based on common definitions and criteria, in particular the existence of a work contract or binding job offer.

EU to ease mobility of non-EU corporate employees — 13 July 2010, 23:30 CET

The proposed Directive of the European Commission covers third-country nationals who reside outside the EU territory and apply to be admitted to the territory of a Member State in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer. The new conditions of entry and residence aim at helping international companies to rely on mobility of third-country national intra-corporate transferees (ICTs).

EU to protect householders from gas supply crises — 13 July 2010, 23:28 CET

European householders would be protected from gas supply crises under legislation approved by the European Parliament's Industry Committee today.

Easier divorces for cross-border couples — 12 July 2010, 20:16 CET

European Union governments gave 14 EU countries the green light to push forward with rules allowing international couples to select which country's law would apply to their divorce. The new rules, which still must be approved, will allow couples to avoid emotionally and financially costly proceedings.

Euro-MPs want to reduce animal testing — 12 July 2010, 20:14 CET

The use of animals in scientific experiments could soon be reduced by new legislation, approved by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee on Monday, which aims for a balance between improving animal welfare and assisting research against diseases.

EU set to cap emission allowances from 2013 — 09 July 2010, 15:48 CET

The European Commission today adopted a decision which determines for the first time a ceiling or 'cap' on the number of emission allowances that will be available under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2013, the first year of the 2013-2020 trading period.

Euro-MPs call for fair and transparent trade in fish — 08 July 2010, 16:40 CET

The EU's fishing and aquaculture industries must not be exposed to unfair competition from imports, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday, which calls for fishery products to be classified as "sensitive" in global trade talks.

EU approves acquisition of Millipore by Merck — 08 July 2010, 16:39 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Millipore, a US-based life science group of companies by the German pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck.

EU approves acquisition of Privileg Rights by Whirlpool — 08 July 2010, 16:39 CET

The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Privileg trademark and other rights by Whirlpool of the US.

Euro-MPs call for ban on food from cloned animals — 07 July 2010, 22:39 CET

Euro-MPs renewed their appeal for a ban on food from cloned animals when they voted on novel foods legislation on Wednesday. They also demanded a moratorium on foods using nanotechnology until potential health risks can be ruled out.

Euro-MPs approve stricter rules on industrial emissions — 07 July 2010, 22:39 CET

Clearer rules and cleaner air are among the aims of the Industrial Emissions Directive approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday. Stricter limits will apply for air pollution, for example, although EU Member States will have some flexibility to extend deadlines for power plants or waive the rules for other installations in special cases.

Euro-MPs propose 4-month limit on unemployment for young people — 06 July 2010, 23:00 CET

A "European Youth Guarantee" to ensure that young people who are unemployed do not remain jobless for more than four months is among proposals made by MEPs in a resolution on improving access to the labour market for young people.

EU approves UK pension scheme NEST — 06 July 2010, 22:59 CET

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the establishment of an occupational pension scheme in the UK, branded NEST, in the UK to ensure that all employees have access to an affordable pension vehicle.

MEPs call for EU directive on biowaste — 06 July 2010, 22:59 CET

Compulsory separate collection and recycling of biowaste should be a central plank of a new EU biowaste directive, said MEPs in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.

Euro-MPs call for equal rights for part-time and contract workers — 06 July 2010, 22:58 CET

Any reform of labour law should seek to protect workers in "non-standard" employment, such as part-time or temporary work, and make it easier to move between various types of work and unemployment, says a resolution adopted by European Parliament on Tuesday.

EU approves acquisition of Círculo by Spanish media group Planeta — 06 July 2010, 22:58 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition by the Spanish media group Planeta of joint control of the Spanish book club Círculo, currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann.

Euro-MPs set to cut red tape in maritime transport — 06 July 2010, 22:49 CET

Ships entering and departing from EU ports will no longer be subject to complex, repetitive administrative formalities thanks to a new directive approved by European Parliament on Tuesday.

EU to increase investor protection in EU investment fund market — 03 July 2010, 00:48 CET

The European Commission has today completed a programme of improvements to the EU framework for investment funds. The new rules better empower investors by requiring a new standardised fund document, while also setting out in detail the high standards of conduct of business that investment fund managers must comply with.

EU reviews options for revised Market Abuse Directive — 01 July 2010, 23:26 CET

The European Commission have launched a public consultation on the review of the Market Abuse Directive. Its objective is to consult financial market participants, governments, competent authorities and other stakeholders on the modifications to the Market Abuse Directive that the Commission is considering for its forthcoming legislative proposal.

EU approves Total's partial acquisition of Polimeri of Belgium — 01 July 2010, 22:36 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed sale of Polimeri's polystyrene business at Feluy, Belgium, to Total Petrochemicals Feluy S.A.

EU moves a step closer to a Single Patent — 01 July 2010, 22:33 CET

The European Commission presented today a proposal on translation arrangements for a future EU Patent, the final element needed for a single EU Patent to become a reality.

EU consults on implementation of Services Directive — 30 June 2010, 17:22 CET

The European Commission is inviting interested parties to share their views on those aspects of national legislation which are being discussed by EU Member States in the "mutual evaluation process", forseen by the Services Directive, transposed in December 2009.

New EU organic logo comes into force on 1 July — 30 June 2010, 17:20 CET

New EU rules on organic food labelling including the requirement to display the new EU organic logo, enter into force on 1 July, 2010. The so-called “Euro-Leaf” will now be obligatory on pre-packaged organic food products that have been produced in any of EU Member States and meet the necessary standards.

EU approves restructuring of Austrian bank BAWAG — 30 June 2010, 17:08 CET

The European Commission has authorised under EU State aid rules a €550 million capital injection provided by Austria in favour of the BAWAG bank and approved a new restructuring plan of the bank.

EU clears extension of bank support measures in 4 Member States — 30 June 2010, 17:07 CET

The European Commission has extended its authorisation under EU state aid rules until 31 December 2010 of the Dutch and Slovenian bank guarantee schemes and the Greek and Polish bank support measures.