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Business news and information from the European Union

EU mulls moves towards sustainable chemicals strategy — 20 January 2022, 22:48 CET

The EU Commission launched a public consultation Thursday on the transition of EU chemicals regulation (REACH) to a more sustainable chemicals strategy and more toxic-free environment.

EU completes EUR 385m Covid solidarity payments — 19 January 2022, 23:00 CET

The European Union completed payments Wednesday of the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) assistance to tackle the coronavirus health emergency to 19 countries for a total amount of almost EUR 385.5 million.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals on water pollutants watch list — 19 January 2022, 22:59 CET

Drinking water will have to be monitored more closely for the potential presence of two endocrine disrupting compounds throughout the whole water supply chain, following an EU decision Wednesday.

EU's new, reinforced agency for asylum starts work — 19 January 2022, 22:40 CET

The new European Union Agency for Asylum started work Wednesday with its reinforced mandate, with the aim of speeding up asylum decisions and converging reception standards across the EU.

European Parliament elects Roberta Metsola as new president — 19 January 2022, 00:32 CET

Christian Democrat MEP Roberta Metsola of Malta won election to a two and a half year term as the European Parliament's new president Tuesday, following the death last week of David Sassoli.

Increased EU budget for Covid-hit creative Europe — 19 January 2022, 00:23 CET

The European Commission adopted the 2022 work programme for Creative Europe Thursday, with an increased budget of around EUR 385m to help support the Covid-hit cultural and creative sectors.

French EU presidency looks for swift progress on minimum tax for multinationals — 19 January 2022, 00:23 CET

The new French EU Presidency took an early opportunity Tuesday to push ahead work on a proposed Council directive which will ensure a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups.

$1 bn EU-Catalyst partnership launches request for proposals — 13 January 2022, 23:38 CET

Breakthrough Energy's EUR 820 million Catalyst program launched a request for proposals Tuesday to support large-scale emerging climate technology projects located in the EU, Iceland and Norway.

Brussels blocks Daewoo-Hyundai shipbuilding merger — 13 January 2022, 23:36 CET

The Commission put a block Thursday on the merger of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering with Hyundai Heavy Industries, saying it would create a dominant position for construction of large LNG vessels.

EUR 258m new calls to support digital connectivity infrastructures — 12 January 2022, 22:50 CET

The EU launched first calls for proposals under the digital part of the Connecting Europe programme Wednesday, aiming to improve digital connectivity infrastructures, in particular Gigabit and 5G networks.

EU mulls revision of state aid rules for agri, forestry, fishery sectors — 11 January 2022, 22:46 CET

The European Commission invited all interested parties Monday to comment on proposed revised State aid rules for the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors, to reflect current the EU's strategic priorities.

EUR 47m to protect IP of EU SMEs in green COVID recovery — 11 January 2022, 22:28 CET

The European Commission and EU Intellectual Property Office launched the new EU SME Fund on Monday, offering vouchers for EU-based SMEs to help them protect their intellectual property rights.

Recovery the focus for France's EU presidency — 04 January 2022, 19:49 CET

France took over the EU presidency on 1 January, promising to pursue an agenda for European sovereignty, the building of a new European growth model and the creation of a more 'human-sized' Europe.

EU presses ahead with minimum tax for large multinationals — 04 January 2022, 19:49 CET

The European Commission put forward its proposal Wednesday for an EU directive ensuring a minimum 15 per cent effective tax rate for the global activities of large multinational groups.

New EU energy framework to turn page on fossil fuels — 23 December 2021, 00:46 CET

The European Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals Thursday to decarbonise the EU gas market by facilitating the uptake of renewable and low carbon gases, including hydrogen.

EU Covid certificates' validity period set at 9 months — 23 December 2021, 00:45 CET

The European Commission adopted rules Tuesday establishing a binding acceptance period of 9 months for the EU Digital COVID vaccination certificates for the purposes of intra-EU travel.

European workers to gain better protection against cancer-causing chemicals — 21 December 2021, 22:41 CET

EU employment ministers and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal Thursday to better protect workers from risks related to their exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances.

Brussels unveils plans to clean up transport in Europe — 16 December 2021, 23:37 CET

The European Commission unveiled new plans Tuesday for more efficient and sustainable travel in Europe, part of a larger EU strategy to support a transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility.

New European tourism strategy needed: auditors — 15 December 2021, 18:05 CET

The EU is the world's most visited region: around 37% all international tourist arrivals had the EU as their destination in 2019. But EU support for tourism needs a fresh strategic orientation, say the EU's auditors.

EU agrees draft rules for greener energy projects — 15 December 2021, 17:46 CET

EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached provisional agreement Wednesday on updated rules for selecting which cross-border energy infrastructure projects will receive EU support.

EU Council sets fishing quotas for 2022 — 15 December 2021, 17:13 CET

European Union fisheries ministers reached agreement Tuesday on catch limits for over 200 commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2022.

EU VAT rules upgraded to be more flexible and green — 14 December 2021, 23:55 CET

EU finance ministers agreed Tuesday to update current rules governing value-added tax (VAT) rates for goods and services, giving them more flexibility to apply reduced and zero VAT rates.

EU boost for health technologies evaluation — 14 December 2021, 23:51 CET

New health technology rules, adopted Monday, will allow vital and innovative health technologies - innovative medicines, medical equipment and treatment methods - to be more widely available.

EU outlines plans for more inclusive, sustainable gig economy — 14 December 2021, 21:34 CET

The EU Commission presented a plan Thursday to tap in to the economic and job-creation potential of the gig economy, which it says can play a key role in a fair and inclusive recovery from the pandemic.

Agreement reached to extend free mobile roaming in Europe — 13 December 2021, 23:43 CET

The 'Roam like at Home' mobile roaming scheme will be renewed for another ten years, after plans were informally agreed Thursday between Euro-MPs and the EU's Slovenian Presidency.