Finance Guides

2006 customs seizures of counterfeit goods – Frequently Asked Questions by EUbusiness — last modified 31 May 2007, 12:58 CET

Statistics just published by the European Commission show a significant increase in the amount of counterfeit and pirated articles seized at the EU's external borders in 2006. Customs officials seized more than 250 million of such articles in 2006 compared with 75 million in 2005 and 100 million in 2004. Medicines, cigarettes and other goods that can seriously damage the health of consumers continue to be faked in large quantities. Changes in the routes used by criminals to trade in fake goods, the use of the internet and the transport of small quantities by air or postal traffic make customs job even more challenging. However, customs' reply has never been as high as in 2006 with more than 36.000 seizures, an increase of around 40% compared with 2005.

Payment Services Directive: Frequently Asked Questions by EUbusiness — last modified 24 April 2007, 16:12 CET

The aim of the PSD is to ensure that payments within the EU – in particular credit transfer, direct debit and card payments – become as easy, efficient, and secure as domestic payments within a Member State, by providing the legal foundation to make the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) possible. The PSD will reinforce the rights and protection of all the users of payment services (consumers, retailers, large and small companies and public authorities).

International customs operation Diabolo by EUbusiness — last modified 23 April 2007, 17:02 CET

The joint 'Diabolo' customs operation was a maritime operation that focused on containers shipped from Asian ports of loading to EU ports of discharge. The operation focused mainly on counterfeit cigarettes, but the possibility that other counterfeit goods or sensitive goods could be retained or seized by the EU Member States was also incorporated.

EU financial rules 2007-2013 by EUbusiness — last modified 29 March 2007, 16:08 CET

Overview of new financial rules and funding opportunities 2007-2013.

EU excise duties on commercial diesel – Frequently Asked Questions by EUbusiness — last modified 13 March 2007, 19:37 CET

The new proposal is based on the fact that existing tax differentials on diesel used by trucks ("commercial gas oil") create distortions of competition within the liberalised Internal Market of the haulage sector. In addition, they lead to "fuel tourism", where truck drivers alter their routes in order to benefit from low tax rates applied in certain Member States, thereby having a negative impact on the environment. In consequence, the Commission’s proposal aims at narrowing these differentials while reducing environmental damages.

Meeting the challenge of ageing by EUbusiness — last modified 12 October 2006, 16:07 CET

The issue of demographic ageing is not confined to older workers and pensioners. Europe's population structure is changing. Demographic ageing affects the whole of society and has repercussions for all generations.

Pensions in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 03 January 2007, 18:20 CET

The proportion of older people in the EU is increasing much faster than the population of younger wage-earning taxpayers, making pensions reform in the EU essential. The fear is that the costs of caring for such a large number of older people will overwhelm the future budgets for pensions and health care.

Regional Policy in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 03 January 2007, 18:20 CET

Although the European Union is one of the richest parts of the world, there remain striking internal disparities of income and opportunity between its regions. The entry in May 2004 of 10 new member countries whose incomes are well below the EU average has widened these gaps. Regional policy transfers resources from affluent to poorer regions. It is both an instrument of financial solidarity and a powerful force for economic integration.

VAT Invoicing Rules in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 20:51 CET

EU Council Directive 2001/115/EC harmonises, simplifies and modernises invoicing obligations on traders when they sell goods or services that are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). It also creates an EU legal framework for electronic transmission and storage of invoices.

EU Tenders - Public procurement in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 20:22 CET

All public tenders exceeding specific contract values must be published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union.

Taxation in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 19:20 CET

Within the EU, governments retain sole responsibility for levels of direct taxation – i.e. tax on personal incomes and company profits. What EU taxation policy does is ensure that tax rules are consistent with the goals of job creation, the EU's competitiveness, the single market and free movement of capital.

EU Stability & Growth Pact by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 19:15 CET

The European Union Stability and Growth Pact is the EU's answer to concerns about the continuation of budgetary discipline within Economic and Monetary Union.

Euro facts and figures by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 18:10 CET

Euro-zone countries share a common European currency, the euro. They have locked the exchange rates of their national currencies to the euro, and share a single interest rate.

Euro facts and figures by EUbusiness — last modified 28 December 2011, 13:02 CET

Euro-zone countries share a common European currency, the euro. They have locked the exchange rates of their national currencies to the euro, and share a single interest rate.

EU funding by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 18:08 CET

European Union funding is administered by the European Commission. It is designed to help businesses and communities across Europe.

EU customs union by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 18:05 CET

The EU customs union, one of the EU's earliest milestones, abolished customs duties at internal borders and put in place a uniform system for taxing imports. Internal border controls subsequently disappeared. Customs officers are now found only at the EU’s external borders. They not only keep trade flowing, but help protect the environment, our cultural heritage and plenty besides.

EU Budget by EUbusiness — last modified 02 May 2007, 21:56 CET

What is there in common between training in the job skills needed for the 2012 Olympics in London and food researchers at the Adam Mickiewicz University Foundation in Poland; the Airbus and people made homeless by earthquakes in Indonesia and Pakistan; the film which won the main prize at the 2006 Cannes film festival and small and medium-size enterprises in Hungary? All have received funding from the European Union’s budget, which helps business innovate and create jobs and growth, preserves our environment, encourages our cultural diversity, and funds the EU’s global responsibilities.

Economic and Monetary Affairs in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 19:02 CET

In order to deliver steady growth and create jobs across the Union, member governments must run their economies according to the same sound principles of economic management. The European Commission believes that the keys to success are close policy coordination, peer pressure and consensus. The single currency, the euro, is seen as a jey part of this process.