EU Law

Latest business news about EU law, legal issues and the European Court of Justice

EU moves to better protect vulnerable adults in cross-border situations — 01 June 2023, 13:48 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday new rules better protect adults in cross-border cases, and that their right to individual autonomy is respected when they move within the EU.

Commission proposals to better guarantee the rights of adults in need of protection or support in cross-border situations — 01 June 2023, 00:15 CET

The European Commission proposed on 31 May new rules aimed at ensuring that the protection of adults is maintained in cross-border cases, and that their right to individual autonomy, including the freedom to make their own choices as regards their person and future arrangements is respected when they move within the EU.

MEPs vote to speed up recovery of criminal assets — 24 May 2023, 00:13 CET

MEPs in committee approved new legislation on seizing criminal assets Tuesday to ensure fast and efficient freezing operations everywhere in the EU, and quicker compensation for victims.

Corruption — 03 May 2023, 22:23 CET

Corruption, commonly referred to as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, is a multi-sector phenomenon, present both in the public and private sector, and in the political arena. While corruption can take the form of petty crime or complex high-level corruption, it can also hide behind favouritism and nepotism, conflicts of interest and revolving doors – where business meets politics.

Stronger rules to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide - guide — 03 May 2023, 22:47 CET

The European Commission unveiled on 3 May 2023 a set of measures to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide, including new and strengthened rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU, as well as a proposal from the EU's foreign policy chief to establish a dedicated Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) sanctions regime to target serious acts of corruption worldwide.

EU targets corruption crime in Europe and worldwide — 04 May 2023, 22:10 CET

The Commission set out Wednesday a raft of new rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU, as well as a sanctions regime to target serious acts of corruption worldwide.

April Infringements package: key decisions — 19 April 2023, 14:20 CET

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

EU proposes new rules on transfer of criminal proceedings — 07 April 2023, 00:10 CET

The European Commission adopted a proposal Thursday for a Regulation which aims to harmonise the rules on transfer of criminal proceedings between EU Member States.

New proposals on transfer of criminal proceedings between EU Member States — 06 April 2023, 23:51 CET

The European Commission adopted on 5 April a proposal for a Regulation on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States.

Schengen info systems upgrade now in force — 07 March 2023, 22:18 CET

A strengthened Schengen Information System (SIS) entered into operation Tuesday, with more complete and reliable information to enhance security and border management in Europe.

WhatsApp promises EU to change practices — 06 March 2023, 22:16 CET

Following dialogue with consumer protection authorities and the EU Commission, the US WhatsApp messenger service committed Monday to being more transparent on changes to its terms of service.

Germany go-ahead for EU's unitary patent system — 21 February 2023, 23:24 CET

Germany's deposition of instrument on the ratification of the Unified Patent Court Agreement Monday triggered the final step required for the Unitary Patent system to start operating on 1 June 2023.

Unitary patent system — 20 February 2023, 23:53 CET

The European Commission actively promotes the implementation of the European patent with unitary effect (the 'unitary patent') and the establishment of a new patent court. The unitary patent is a legal title that will provide uniform protection across all participating countries on a one-stop-shop basis, providing huge cost advantages and reducing administrative burdens. The Unified Patent Court offers a single, specialised patent jurisdiction.

February 2023 infringements package: key decisions — 15 February 2023, 21:41 CET

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

January 2023 infringements package: key decisions — 26 January 2023, 18:55 CET

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

EU strengthens resilience against cybercrime — 18 January 2023, 23:44 CET

Two EU directives on critical and digital infrastructure entered into force Monday to strengthen EU resilience against online and offline threats from cyberattacks to crime, risks to health or natural disasters.

43 pct websites broke EU rules during Black Friday — 19 December 2022, 23:25 CET

The Commission and national consumer protection authorities released Monday results of a website screening (sweep), aimed at verifying how price reductions were presented on Black Friday 2022.

Ukraine: Commission proposes to criminalise sanctions violations — 02 December 2022, 21:07 CET

As Russia continues its aggression on Ukraine, the European Union put forward Friday a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.

Commission proposal to criminalise evasion of EU sanctions - guide — 02 December 2022, 20:53 CET

The European Commission put forward on 2 December a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.

EU weighs up options for Russia to pay for its crimes — 30 November 2022, 23:16 CET

The European Commission presented the EU Council with a number of options Wednesday to make sure Russia is held accountable for the atrocities and crimes committed during its war in Ukraine.

Industrial designs in EU to become cheaper, more predictable — 29 November 2022, 23:43 CET

The European Commission presented proposals for revised rules on industrial designs Tuesday designed to make it cheaper, quicker and more predictable to protect industrial designs across the EU.

EU must freeze funding to Hungary, insist MEPs — 28 November 2022, 18:43 CET

The EU should resist pressure from Hungary and go ahead with adopting the proposed rule of law conditionality measures to suspend EU cohesion funds, Europe's Parliament said on Thursday.

Europe prepares for cyberattacks with large-scale simulations — 09 November 2022, 18:13 CET

Senior cybersecurity representatives of EU states, the Commission and the EU's cybersecurity agency took part Monday in a two-day large-scale exercise to test crisis management procedures.

EU to tighten rules on firearms — 01 November 2022, 23:17 CET

An update to EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use, proposed Thursday by the European Commission, will enhance security and address the trafficking of firearms.

Trafficking in firearms — 27 October 2022, 18:33 CET

Firearms are the lifeblood of organised crime in Europe, as elsewhere in the world. They facilitate the trade in illegal drugs and trafficking in human beings. The supply of stolen, smuggled and converted replica guns fuels urban gang conflict. Firearms are typically used by all organised crime groups to intimidate and coerce their victims. The life cycle of a weapon begins with its manufacture. It is then traded and used, most of the time responsibly and for legitimate purposes such as hunting and sports shooting. At the end of its life it may be deactivated or completely destroyed. Criminals acquire firearms by exploiting vulnerabilities in this life cycle. They forge documents to enable false transactions, or they convert deactivated or gas and alarm weapons into operational. The EU is uniquely placed to help disrupt criminal markets through its laws enabling common EU standards, through funding streams, through police and customs cooperation and engagement with third countries and international organisations.