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Business news and information from the European Union

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.

EU to strengthen trade defence against foreign coercion — 09 December 2021, 23:05 CET

The European Union announced plans Wednesday to counter the deliberate use of economic coercion by third countries with a set of tools to strengthen trade defence against such pressure.

New EU energy map to help decarbonisation — 08 December 2021, 22:36 CET

The EU Commission unveiled its Energy and Industry Geography Lab Wednesday, a user-friendly online tool providing geospatial information for companies and energy infrastructure planners.

EU own software to go open source — 08 December 2021, 22:25 CET

The European Commission adopted new rules on Open Source Software Wednesday, to enable its software solutions to be publicly accessible with benefits for companies and public services.

EU looks to tackle Europe's gender pay gap — 07 December 2021, 17:19 CET

EU employment ministers agreed their position Monday on a draft law on pay transparency which will help to tackle the existing pay discrimination at work and contribute to closing the gender pay gap.

EU institutions agree stronger Environment Action Programme — 06 December 2021, 22:26 CET

After months of negotiations, the European institutions agreed the 8th Environment Action Programme Wednesday, setting the objectives for EU environmental policy up to 2030, and conditions to achieve them.

EU's EUR 300 bn fund to counter Chinese influence — 06 December 2021, 22:26 CET

The EU launched a EUR 300 billion 'Global Gateway' fund Wednesday to counter the influence of China and develop links in transport, health, education and research systems across the world.

EU strengthens disease prevention and control capacity — 02 December 2021, 23:38 CET

The EU Parliament and Council agreed Monday to reinforce the role of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and improve Europe's preparedness for future health challenges.

What's illegal offline should be illegal online: EU — 01 December 2021, 22:41 CET

EU ministers agreed their position on a Digital Services Act Thursday, which would regulate large online platforms with the aim of creating a digital level playing field with clear rights and obligations.

EU economy set for greener, digital rebound — 30 November 2021, 23:18 CET

The Commission outlined in the 2022 'European semester cycle of economic policy coordination' Wednesday a greener and more digital economy as Europe's economy rebounds from the crisis.

EU launches EUR 3.9 bn calls for education exchange programme — 25 November 2021, 22:26 CET

The European Commission launched nearly EUR 3.9 billion calls under the EU's Erasmus+ programme Wednesday, for the mobility of young people and cooperation in education, training, youth and sport.

MEPs give final go-ahead for EU farm reform — 25 November 2021, 21:46 CET

The European Parliament gave the final green light Tuesday to reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, with the reformed version aiming to be greener, fairer, more flexible and more transparent.

Brussels mulls upgrade for chemical labelling — 24 November 2021, 22:15 CET

The EU Commission launched a public consultation Wednesday on the simplification and digitalisation of labelling of chemical products such as glues, laundry and dishwashing detergents, fertilising products.

EU mulls update for mortgage credit directive — 23 November 2021, 18:35 CET

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the Mortgage Credit Directive review Monday, seeking views on the functioning of, and possible improvements to the existing framework.

Brussels outlines more adaptable EU competition policy — 23 November 2021, 18:35 CET

The EU Commission adopted a Communication Thursday on a competition policy fit for new challenges, framing the key role of competition policy for Europe's path towards a 'green' recovery.

EU institutions reach provisional deal on 2022 Budget — 22 November 2021, 22:55 CET

EU ministers reached an informal agreement with the European Parliament on the 2022 EU budget late on Monday, setting total commitments at EUR 169.5 billion and payments at EUR 170.6 billion.

Council welcomes new EU forest strategy for 2030 — 18 November 2021, 17:55 CET

In their conclusions adopted Monday, EU farm ministers welcomed the Commission's new EU forest strategy for 2030 and recognised the need for forests to contribute more to Europe's 'Green Deal'.

COP26 deal keeps alive 1.5C global warming target — 16 November 2021, 16:24 CET

The COP26 UN Climate Conference came to an end in Glasgoqw Saturday with a deal to keep alive Paris' 1.5°C target but without a comprehensive package to support climate vulnerable countries.

EU Court confirms Google EUR 2.42 bn antitrust fine — 14 November 2021, 16:07 CET

The EU's General Court upheld Wednesday the EUR 2.42bn fine imposed on Google by the Commission in 2017 for abusing its market dominance to favour its own comparison shopping service.

Virus uncertainty, energy prices threaten EU recovery — 14 November 2021, 16:03 CET

Europe's economy is rebounding from the pandemic recession faster than expected, says an EU forecast Thursday, but faces uncertainty from surging energy prices and an increase in COVID cases.