EU mulls VAT changes - EUbusiness Week newsletter 718

01-10-2015

EUbusiness Week 718 top stories: EU tightening car emission tests to prevent cheating; EU unveils push for non-bank lending to end slump; EU, Russia, Ukraine agree winter gas supply deal; Brussels warns Taiwan over illegal fishing or risk ban; Formula One: Sauber, Force India lodge EU complaints; Romania joining euro in 2019 'no longer feasible'

Publisher's Note

The Commission has launched a consultation to look at how to simplify the new EU VAT system for cross-border e-commerce, brought in on 1 January. Based on customer location rather than place of supply, the system has faced fierce criticism for the extra burdens it imposes on smaller businesses.

The consultation will help the Commission with new proposals next year to reduce the administrative burden on businesses arising from different VAT regimes. "We ... have an interest in ensuring that future legislation reflects the reality for businesses across the EU", said Commissioner Moscovici.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU tightening car emission tests to prevent cheating

The European Union moved to change its diesel car emission tests to prevent the sort of rigging used by German car giant Volkswagen after noticing discrepancies in the results, say EU sources.
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2. EU unveils push for non-bank lending to end slump

The EU's financial services chief unveiled a wide array of measures Wednesday to encourage non-bank lending across Europe in a bid to reboot slumping investment that is threatening economic growth.
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3. EU, Russia, Ukraine agree winter gas supply deal

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4. Brussels warns Taiwan over illegal fishing or risk ban

The EU on Thursday warned Taiwan and the Comoros they had six months to take stronger action against illegal fishing or risk an import ban in the world's single biggest market.
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5. 15 EU Member States opt to stay GMO-free

Fifteen EU Member States are seeking to keep genetically modified organisms out of all or part of their territory, as the deadline for opting out of new European legislation on GMO crops nears, the Commission said on Thursday.
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6. Formula One: Sauber, Force India lodge EU complaints

Second-tier Formula One teams Sauber and Force India have lodged official complaints with EU's competition regulators, alleging the sport's governing body mismanages prize money.
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EU diary

5-8 Oct: European Parliament plenary session
5 Oct: Eurogroup
6 Oct: Drivers for Blue Growth in the Baltic Sea Region
7 Oct: The future of Schengen: challenges & opportunities
8 Oct: Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
8 Oct: Justice and Home Affairs Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary