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Commission sector inquiry into mechanisms to ensure electricity supplies by EUbusiness — last modified 29 April 2015, 19:20 CET

The European Commission has launched a state aid sector inquiry into national measures to ensure that adequate capacity to produce electricity is available at all times to avoid black-outs (so-called "capacity mechanisms").

Commission approval for German offshore wind farms by EUbusiness — last modified 16 April 2015, 15:46 CET

The European Commission has found that German plans to support the building of 20 offshore wind farms are in line with EU state aid rules.

EU investigation against Google in relation to Android mobile operating system by EUbusiness — last modified 15 April 2015, 13:37 CET

The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Google to investigate in-depth if the company’s conduct in relation to its Android mobile operating system as well as applications and services for smartphones and tablets has breached EU antitrust rules.

Telecoms: Recommendation on relevant markets by EUbusiness — last modified 09 October 2014, 14:37 CET

The European Commission – in agreement with Member States - decided on 9 October that two telecom markets should no longer be subject to regulation in Europe, and that two more should be redefined to reflect market and technology developments. The rules take effect immediately.

Revised guidelines for supporting firms in difficulty by EUbusiness — last modified 09 July 2014, 23:53 CET

The European Commission has revised its rules for assessing Member States' support measures to rescue and restructure companies in difficulty. The new guidelines aim to ensure that public funding is channelled where it is needed most and that investors in failing firms carry their fair share of the costs of restructuring, rather than leaving the burden to taxpayers. The rules adopted apply only to non-financial firms in difficulty; a separate set of rules is in place for banks and other financial institutions. The new guidelines will enter into force on 1 August 2014.

EU merger control rules improvements by EUbusiness — last modified 09 July 2014, 18:33 CET

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on proposals to improve merger control at EU level outlined in a White Paper.

Enforcement of EU competition rules by EUbusiness — last modified 09 July 2014, 18:29 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Communication identifying areas for action to enhance the enforcement of EU antitrust rules by national competition authorities (NCAs). Since 2004, both the Commission and NCAs have the power to fully enforce the EU's antitrust rules. Based on ten years of experience, the Commission aims to further strengthen the position and tools of the NCAs. The Communication adopted today sets out priority areas where further progress is necessary. The Commission will then assess which policy initiatives should be taken to best achieve these goals.

Broadband state aid rules explained - handbook for decision-makers by EUbusiness — last modified 08 May 2014, 19:19 CET

The European Commission has published new guidance to help governments invest in broadband. The handbook is useful for any public authority investing in broadband or looking at co-funding projects with EU structural and investment funds (ESIF).

Annual Report on Competition Policy 2013 by EUbusiness — last modified 08 May 2014, 11:34 CET

The European Commission's 2013 report on competition policy shows that competition enforcement helps promoting growth and competitiveness across the EU.

Energy and Environmental State aid Guidelines by EUbusiness — last modified 09 April 2014, 21:35 CET

The European Commission has adopted new rules on public support for projects in the field of environmental protection and energy. The guidelines will support Member States in reaching their 2020 climate targets, while addressing the market distortions that may result from subsidies granted to renewable energy sources. To this end, the guidelines promote a gradual move to market-based support for renewable energy. They also provide criteria on how Member States can relieve energy intensive companies that are particularly exposed to international competition from charges levied for the support of renewables. Furthermore, the guidelines include new provisions on aid to energy infrastructure and generation capacity to strengthen the internal energy market and ensure security of supply.

Google proposals on display of search rivals by EUbusiness — last modified 05 February 2014, 13:30 CET

The European Commission has obtained an improved commitments proposal from Google in the context of the ongoing antitrust investigation on online search and search advertising. In its proposal, Google now accepts to guarantee that whenever it promotes its own specialised search services on its web page (e.g. for products, hotels, restaurants, etc.), the services of three rivals, selected through an objective method, will also be displayed in a way that is clearly visible to users and comparable to the way in which Google displays its own services. This principle will apply not only for existing specialised search services, but also to changes in the presentation of those services and for future services.

New film support rules by EUbusiness — last modified 14 November 2013, 13:20 CET

The European Commission has adopted revised criteria for assessing under EU state aid rules Member States' support schemes in favour of films and other audio-visual works. The new Cinema Communication allows aid for a wider scope of activities, highlights Member States' discretion in defining cultural activities worthy of support, introduces the possibility to give more aid to cross-border productions and promotes film heritage. The Commission took into account the comments received during three public consultations of Member States and stakeholders.

Regional Aid Guidelines for 2014-2020 by EUbusiness — last modified 20 June 2013, 17:01 CET

The European Commission has adopted guidelines on how Member States can grant investment aid to companies in order to support the development of disadvantaged regions in Europe between 2014 and 2020. These guidelines are part of a broader strategy to modernise state aid control, which aims at fostering growth in the Single Market by encouraging more effective aid measures and focusing the Commission's enforcement on cases with the biggest impact on competition. The guidelines will enter into force on 1 July 2014.

Anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar panels by EUbusiness — last modified 04 June 2013, 17:36 CET

The European Commission has decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of solar panels, cells and wafers from China.

Feedback sought on commitments offered by Google to address competition concerns by EUbusiness — last modified 25 April 2013, 12:47 CET

The European Commission is inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by Google in relation to online search and search advertising.

Modernisation of EU Trade Defence Instruments by EUbusiness — last modified 10 April 2013, 14:04 CET

The European Commission has made a proposal to adapt the EU's rulebook to tackle unfair competition from dumped and subsidised imports to the contemporary challenges facing the EU's economy. The Commission says the proposed changes would make the EU trade defence work better for all stakeholders, including both EU producers and importers. Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy instruments will be more efficient and better enforced to shield EU producers from unfair practices of foreign firms and from any risk of retaliation. At the same time, importers will enjoy greater predictability in terms of changing duty rates, which will make their business planning easier. The entire system will become more transparent and user-friendly.

Microsoft: Commission fine for non-compliance with browser choice commitments by EUbusiness — last modified 06 March 2013, 18:37 CET

The European Commission has imposed a EUR 561 million fine on Microsoft for failing to comply with its commitments to offer users a browser choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft until 2014. In today's decision, the Commission finds that Microsoft failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1 from May 2011 until July 2012. 15 million Windows users in the EU therefore did not see the choice screen during this period. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that time.

Ryanair's proposed takeover of Aer Lingus by EUbusiness — last modified 27 February 2013, 17:21 CET

The European Commission has prohibited, on the basis of the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed takeover of the Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus by the low-cost airline Ryanair. The acquisition would have combined the two leading airlines operating from Ireland. The Commission concluded that the merger would have harmed consumers by creating a monopoly or a dominant position on 46 routes where, currently, Aer Lingus and Ryanair compete vigorously against each other. It says this would have reduced choice and, most likely, would have led to price increases for consumers travelling on these routes. During the investigation, Ryanair offered remedies. The Commission assessed them thoroughly and carried out several market tests. However the remedies proposed fell short of addressing the competition concerns raised by the Commission.

Samsung - Enforcement of ETSI standards essential patents (SEPs) by EUbusiness — last modified 21 December 2012, 23:43 CET

The European Commission has informed Samsung of its preliminary view that Samsung's seeking of injunctions against Apple in various EU Member States on the basis of its mobile phone standard-essential patents ("SEPs") amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU antitrust rules. While recourse to injunctions is a possible remedy for patent infringements, such conduct may be abusive where SEPs are concerned and the potential licensee is willing to negotiate a licence on Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (so-called "FRAND") terms. The sending of a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.

EU anti-subsidy investigation on solar panel imports from China by EUbusiness — last modified 08 November 2012, 13:46 CET

The European Commission has launched an anti-subsidy ("countervailing duty") investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components (i.e. solar cells and solar wafers) originating in China.