EU Law
Latest business news about EU law, legal issues and the European Court of Justice
Airport scanners receive conditional support from EC
The deployment and operation of airport scanners must be based on common standards, says the European Commission in a Communication out today. In a statement of conditional support for the scanners, it makes clear that EU Member States must also ensure compliance with European fundamental rights and health provisions.
EU aims for safer electric cars
The European Commission proposed today to ensure that electric cars placed on the European market are safe and that consumers are protected against direct contacts with parts of the car under voltage.
EU to tighten derivatives trading regulation
Proposed EU rules on derivatives trading must be made clearer and tougher, so as to reduce speculative trading and ensure that as many derivatives as possible are traded through open channels that are subject to rules, the European Parliament said in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.
EU approves acquisition of Tarmac of Germany
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation part of the proposed acquisition of the aggregate activities of Tarmac, part of the UK-based Anglo American group, by Eurovia, part of the French Vinci group.
EU urges Member States to give a boost to small businesses
The EU published today its annual SME report, estimating the loss of jobs in the SME sector over 2009 and 2010 to 3.25 million. The report stresses that EU Member States should take action to boost the small and medium enterprises sector in order to generate new employment opportunities.
Spain to label certain products in Braille
At a Seminar on Consumer Safety in Palma de Mallorca Spain's Minister of Health and Social Policy, Trinidad Jiménez, said the Spanish Government is drawing up a decree for certain products to be labelled in Braille.
EU okays Latvian state aid for exporting firms
The European Commission has authorised, under EU State aid rules, a measure adopted by Latvia to limit the adverse impact of the current financial crisis on exporting firms.
Bulgaria and Romania move a step closer to Schengen area
Bulgaria and Romania have moved a step closer to having their border checks with the borderless Schengen area lifted. An EU Council decision that both comply with data security requirements for joining the "Schengen Information System" border control database was approved by the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday.
Euro-MPs urge application of common EU energy rules
The EU should accelerate the application of common energy policy rules, and the policy itself must aim to improve competitiveness, security of supply and sustainability, concluded a joint meeting of over 250 MEPs and MPs from EU Member States in Brussels on Tuesday.
EU approves EUR 16m for new Fiat transmission unit
The European Commission has authorised, under EU state aid rules, EUR 16 million of regional investment aid, which the Italian authorities intend to grant to Fiat Powertrain Technologies, a subsidiary of the Fiat Group, for the production of car transmissions in Verrone, Italy.
Hungary Mining Act violates EU state aid rules: EC
The European Commission has concluded that a 2005 agreement between the Hungarian government and the Oil and Gas Company MOL conferred a financial advantage on the company that cannot be exempted under EU State aid rules.
The Mediterranean Fisheries Regulation - Briefing
The 'Mediterranean Regulation,' adopted by the EU in 2006, aims to improve fisheries management in order to achieve sustainable fisheries, protect the fragile marine environment and restore fish stocks to healthy levels. It applies to EU member states around the Mediterranean. The Regulation is fully in force as of 1 June 2010 but Member States so far have largely failed to take all necessary measures to ensure full implementation.
New rules in the EU to provide high-quality cross-border healthcare
EU Health Ministers today agreed on a draft directive which aims to facilitate the access to safe and high-quality cross-border healthcare and to promote cooperation on healthcare between member states.
EU to strengthen cross-border cooperation on VAT fraud
EU Finance Ministers today reached an agreement on a draft regulation which will enable EU member states to combine efforts in combating fraud with regard to value-added taxation (VAT).
Sustainable fishing practices cannot be postponed: European Commission
The European Commission calls on EU Member States to urgently take action in implementing the EU 'Mediterranean Regulation', adopted in 2006, which aims to fight overfishing.
EU report shows ineffectiveness of simplified customs procedures
The European Court of Auditors has assessed whether the regulatory framework and control approach developed by the European Commission and put in place in the Member States effectively control simplified customs procedures for imports. According to a Special Report published by the Court today, simplified procedures are not yet effectively controlled in the majority of the audited Member States.
EU to tighten rules on animal experimentation
The EU Council for Justice and Home Affairs has yesterday supported a draft directive for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, aimed at strengthening the protection of animals whilst allowing research to continue playing a key role in the fight against diseases.
EU questions Italy, Poland and Germany over safety of inland waterways vessels
The European Commission has yesterday sent reasoned opinions to Italy, Poland and Germany for failing to notify measures for the implementation of EU legislation ensuring technical harmonisation and safety on EU inland waterways.
EU warns Italy on discriminatory pension age again
The European Commission has issued on Thursday a new request to Italy to comply with a 2008 European Court of Justice ruling that different pensionable ages for male and female civil servants violate the principle of equal pay.
EU warns Finland on personal tax data
The European Commission today warned Finland that its data protection law may be breaking EU rules. Finnish taxpayers’ personal data is available to the public and is being collected by businesses for sale as special publications, CDs and text messages.