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EU data protection rules set for overhaul by Nick Prag — last modified 18 June 2015, 22:26 CET

New data protection rules agreed by justice ministers this week give the Council a mandate to start talks with the European Parliament, now set for 24 June.

EU-OSHA Annual report 2014: Improving working conditions across Europe by EUbusiness — last modified 01 July 2015, 18:53 CET

In its 2014 annual report, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) demonstrates how it is helping to improve working conditions across Europe, particularly in micro and small businesses. Key activities of 2014 include the success of the completion of the ESENER-2 survey fieldwork, start of the project ‘Improving OSH in micro and small enterprises in Europe’, the Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tool, achievements of the Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress Campaign and the much anticipated launch of OSHwiki. It also looks to the future and the next campaign, Healthy Workplaces for All Ages, which will focus on promoting sustainable working lives.

Impact of intellectual property rights intensive industries in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 18 June 2015, 16:28 CET

The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights and the European Patent Office have carried out an EU-wide study on the contribution of intellectual property rights (IPRs) to the EU economy. Main findings: About half of EU industries are IPR intensive - intensive industries account directly for 26% of all jobs in the EU (around 56 million direct jobs) - With the addition of 20 million indirect jobs, one in three of all EU jobs (35% of all jobs) rely on IPR intensive industries - These industries generated almost 39% of total economic activity (GDP) in the EU, worth EUR 4.7 trillion - IPR-intensive industries pay higher remuneration than non-IPR intensive industries, with a premium of more than 40% - IPR-intensive industries account for 90% of the EU's trade with the rest of the world

Mobility boost for Masters students by Nick Prag — last modified 11 June 2015, 22:52 CET

Students looking to take a Master's Degree in another EU country will be keen to look into a loan guarantee scheme offered by the highly successful Erasmus+ programme, as a new agreement worth some EUR 30 million was signed this week.

Ground-breaking Report on Health and Welfare of EU Horses, Donkeys and Mules by EUbusiness — last modified 11 June 2015, 16:34 CET

World Horse Welfare and lobbying consortium Eurogroup for Animals are proud to publish 'Removing the Blinkers: The health and welfare of European equidae in 2015', the first ever report to investigate the scale of the horse sector in Europe, legislation affecting it and the key health and welfare challenges of the EU's equids.

An Urban Agenda for Europe by Nick Prag — last modified 04 June 2015, 17:01 CET

Europe's cities are the engines of its economy, providing jobs and services, and they serve as hubs that catalyse creativity and innovation. Almost 70% of the EU population now live in urban areas. However, they are also home to some of our greatest challenges: economic, social, environmental and demographic, which are often interrelated.

European Drug Report 2015: Trends and Developments by EUbusiness — last modified 04 June 2015, 11:39 CET

Changing dynamics in the heroin market, the latest implications of cannabis use and new features and dimensions of the stimulant and ‘new drugs’ scene are among the issues highlighted in the European Drug Report 2015: Trends and Developments. This years' annual review reflects on 20 years of monitoring and examines the global influences and local ramifications of Europe’s ever-changing drugs problem.The EMCDDA presents its annual overview of the European drug situation on 4 June in a multilingual, multimedia information package focusing on today’s rapidly shifting drug phenomenon.

European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report 2014 by EUbusiness — last modified 03 June 2015, 22:48 CET

In 2014, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) achieved excellent results in the fight against fraud across Europe. OLAF completed a high number of investigations while continuing to reduce their overall duration. It issued a record number of recommendations in over five years. The Office recommended the recovery of EUR 901 million, which should progressively return to the EU budget and help fund other projects.

'Restricted' 2016 EU Budget focuses on jobs, growth, migration and global action by Nick Prag — last modified 28 May 2015, 16:56 CET

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a 2016 EU budget of EUR 143.5 billion in payment credits to support the recovery of the European economy and help improve lives in Europe and beyond.

Eurofound yearbook 2014: Living and working in Europe by EUbusiness — last modified 28 May 2015, 13:14 CET

Eurofound in 2014 expanded its evidence base on the repercussions of the crisis on the living and working conditions of Europeans, and offered guidance on viable options available to policymakers in their efforts to turn Europe around. The Agency produced new knowledge in some of the areas of most immediate concern to Europeans and in fields crucial to their long-term prosperity. Its reporting of recent employment trends highlighted where in the economy most job creation and job loss has occurred and suggested where investment in future growth is best directed.

ECB Financial Stability Review May 2015 by EUbusiness — last modified 28 May 2015, 12:45 CET

Euro area systemic stress has remained low over the past six months, according to the ECB’s latest Financial Stability Review. This also reflects ECB action that calmed fears of a too prolonged period of low inflation threatening to harm both price and financial stability. The Financial Stability Review is published twice a year to provide an overview of the possible sources of risk and vulnerability to financial stability in the euro area.

EU plans for cutting red tape, with less but better regulation by Nick Prag — last modified 21 May 2015, 17:11 CET

As the United Kingdom begins to gear up for its referendum on EU membership following the Conservative win in the general election, the European Commission addressed what has been one of the main complaints of Mr Cameron's government – too much red tape in EU legislation and a lack of transparency about the EU decision-making process.

European bathing water quality in 2014 - EEA Report No 1/2015 by EUbusiness — last modified 20 May 2015, 18:03 CET

The report assesses bathing water quality in 2014, indicating where the quality of bathing water is expected to be good in 2015. The report was compiled using information from more than 21 000 bathing waters in the 28 EU Member States. The report also covers bathing waters in Albania and Switzerland. The report is a joint production of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission.

State of Nature in the EU - Report on the status of and trends for habitat types and species covered by the Birds and Habitats Directives for the 2007-2012 period by EUbusiness — last modified 20 May 2015, 14:22 CET

The Commission has adopted a new report providing the most comprehensive picture yet on the ‘State of Nature in the EU’. The findings show that the majority of birds have a secure status, and some species and habitats are doing better. Targeted conservation actions have brought successes, but a much greater effort is required for the situation to improve significantly.

Europe and the Eurozone: No Vision, No Strategy? by EUbusiness — last modified 14 May 2015, 23:11 CET

The rise of populist parties across Europe is a severe threat to European integration. Irrespective of their underlying political ideologies, populist parties mainly benefit from widespread EU scepticism among their national constituencies. At the same time, criticising the EU is not about bashing Brussels anymore. It is about the South bashing the North, the North bashing the South, and some bashing Germany, quite often unfairly. It is high time for European leaders to recognise that the future of EU integration critically depends on a model of economic integration whose success is not measured by temporary success in plastering together a flailing Eurozone.

Brexit - early referendum on the cards by Nick Prag — last modified 14 May 2015, 17:26 CET

The surprise victory of Prime Minister David Cameron at the United Kingdom's general election last weekend has led to a chorus of concerned voices about the chances of a 'Brexit' from the European Union.

Priority to the digital single market by Nick Prag — last modified 07 May 2015, 16:26 CET

The Digital Single Market was earmarked as one of the Juncker Commission's top priorities, and this week it duly set out detailed plans to create a Digital Single Market, with set of targeted actions which are scheduled to be delivered by the end of next year.

EU unveils Digital Single Market: Consumers must be central by European Consumers’ Organisation — last modified 06 May 2015, 16:22 CET

The EU‘s Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy, a top priority of the Juncker Commission, has been published today.

European Economic Forecast - Spring 2015 by EUbusiness — last modified 05 May 2015, 11:59 CET

Economic growth in the European Union is benefiting from positive economic tailwinds. According to the European Commission's Spring 2015 Economic Forecast, these short-term factors are boosting an otherwise mild cyclical upswing in the EU. The European Economy series contains important reports and communications from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament on the economy and economic developments.

Jobs, car safety, biofuels and plastic bags - all in a day's work at the European Parliament by Nick Prag — last modified 30 April 2015, 22:29 CET

Who says Euro-MPs don't do much or what they do has little relation to, or impact on, real life? Certainly nobody who attended their plenary session in Strasbourg this week, where their agenda was full with a number of important issues that affect us all.