Poland and the EU

Latest business news about Poland and the European Union.

Illegal Bialowieza logging could cost Poland EUR 100,000 a day — 22 November 2017, 00:01 CET

Poland will have to pay a EUR 100,000 penalty per day if it continues banned logging activities in the EU-protected Bialowieza Forest, one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe, the EU's top court has ruled.

EU Parliament warns Poland on rule of law — 16 November 2017, 23:29 CET

Poland is at "clear risk of a serious breach" of European values, including the rule of law, enshrined in the EU Treaty, MEPs said on Wednesday, warning of possible suspension of Poland's EU voting rights.

EU top Court affirms freedom of establishment — 26 October 2017, 00:12 CET

An EU Member State cannot impose mandatory liquidation on firms that transfer their registered office to another state, the European Court of Justice affirms in a ruling upholding freedom of establishment under EU law.

EU launches legal action against Poland over new law — 01 August 2017, 12:08 CET

The European Union launched legal action against Poland Saturday following the publication in the Polish Official Journal of a new law it has warned threatens the independence of the judiciary..

EU tightens pressure on Poland over rule of law — 26 July 2017, 18:42 CET

The European Commission substantiated its grave concerns on a planned reform of the judiciary in Poland Wednesday in a Rule of Law Recommendation addressed to the Polish authorities.

EU warns Poland over independence of judiciary — 20 July 2017, 23:44 CET

The European Commission expressed grave concern Wednesday about the clear risks for the independence of the judiciary in Poland and urges the Polish Government to put its new laws on hold

Brussels OKs Polish energy production scheme — 28 September 2016, 20:40 CET

A Polish scheme to support high-efficiency co-generators of heat and power complies with EU state aid rules, the EU Commission found Wednesday, since it furthers efficient energy production.

Polish retail tax comes under Brussels scrutiny — 20 September 2016, 23:44 CET

The EU Commission opened an in-depth probe into a Polish tax on the retail sector Tuesday, concerned that the progressive rates based on turnover give companies with low turnover an unfair advantage.

Systemic threat to rule of law in Poland, says EC — 04 August 2016, 23:41 CET

There is a 'systemic threat' to the rule of law in Poland, the European Commission said as it sent the country recommendations over the independence of the country's judiciary.

EU warns Poland on rule of law — 02 June 2016, 01:43 CET

The European Commission warned Poland on Wednesday of a "systemic risk to the rule of law" in a first step setting out the EU's concerns on various constitutional issues.

Poland taken to EU Court of Justice over biofuel restrictions — 26 May 2016, 19:23 CET

Poland is being referred to the Court of Justice of the EU for establishing restrictions in Polish law against certain imported biofuels and raw materials for biofuel, the Commission said Thursday.

EU finance for new express roads in Poland to overcome bottlenecks in trans-European infrastructure — 17 March 2016, 15:46 CET

The European Commission approved on 17 March ten major projects worth EUR 3.3 billion for the construction of approximately 330km of new express roads in Poland. The projects will receive contributions from the Cohesion Fund of EUR 1.2 billion and EUR 493 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Gas Interconnector Poland-Lithuania — 15 October 2015, 13:54 CET

An agreement on the first pipeline connecting Poland and Lithuania was signed on 15 October by the European Commission and the Baltic states. The first gas interconnector between Poland and Lithuania will end the long lasting isolation of the Baltic Sea region and bring the energy needed for a new economic dynamism to the region.

Jewish life in Poland: Achievements, challenges and priorities since the collapse of communism — 28 October 2014, 10:53 CET

A detailed look at Jewish life in Poland based on interviews with a broad range of Polish Jewish leaders. It highlights the 'multiplier effect' of Jewish heritage programming, and explores the impact of the post-communist Jewish revival on Polish society as a whole. Part of a four-paper series looking at Jewish life in east-central Europe since the collapse of communism, the authors of the Poland report testify to the rebirth of a small community that has a disproportionate impact on world Jewry, not least because of the importance of Polish Jewish history and heritage. The research was conducted by local experts working in partnership with JPR, and was funded by the Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe. A Polish language version is also available.

Poland: country overview — 29 January 2017, 23:44 CET

Poland joined the European Union in 2004. Labour turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force with over ten million members. Free elections in 1989 and 1990 won Solidarity control of the parliament and the presidency, bringing the Communist era to a close. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland has transformed itself into a democratic, market-oriented country. The most important sectors of Poland's economy in 2015 were Industry (26.1 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (25.4 %), and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (14.7 %). Poland's main export partners are Germany, UK and the Czech Republic while its main import partners are Germany, Russia and China.

Doing business in Poland: Staff welfare — 03 April 2012, 12:04 CET

This guide outlines the social rules in Poland and the legislation that regulates workers' rights and employers' obligations.

Doing business in Poland: Sustainability — 03 April 2012, 12:05 CET

According to the Polish Constitution, the state has to protect the environment, guided by the principle of sustainable development. In order to contribute to this goal, businesses have to comply by certain sustainability standards.

Doing business in Poland: Environmental rules — 30 March 2012, 11:28 CET

This guide outlines the main legislation in Poland that guides the adherence of businesses to environmental regulations.

Commission decision against Telekomunikacja Polska — 22 June 2011, 20:30 CET

The European Commission has imposed a fine of €127 554 194 on telecoms operator Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. (TP) for abusing its dominant position in Poland in breach of EU antitrust rules (Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU). As a dominant company TP is under an obligation to allow remunerated access to its network and wholesale broadband services in order to allow the effective entry of alternative operators on downstream telecoms markets. But it consistently refused to do so or made it difficult for more than four years.

EU asks Poland to comply with rules on flood prevention — 14 July 2010, 18:31 CET

The European Commission asks Poland to comply with EU environmental legislation in the area of flood prevention and risk management.

Poland must stop violating EU rules on internal gas market: EU — 14 July 2010, 18:31 CET

The European Commission has sent a request to Poland to stop the violations of the EU rules creating a Single Market for gas after Poland imposed an obligation on gas importers to store a certain percentage of gas in the country.

EU approves EUR 390m aid for Polish gas project — 23 June 2010, 17:25 CET

The European Commission has authorised, under the EU state aid rules, the provision of state grants amounting to EUR 390 million for the construction or capacity increase of four underground gas storage sites in Poland.

EU questions Italy, Poland and Germany over safety of inland waterways vessels — 04 June 2010, 23:26 CET

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 greenlights Polish CO2 emissions allocation plan — 19 April 2010, 23:58 CET

The European Commission has no objections to Poland's new national allocation plan for distributing CO2 emission allowances for the 2008-2012 trading period of the EU Emissions Trading System.

Germany's restriction on Polish labour deemed discriminatory — 04 February 2010, 23:58 CET

Germany has infringed Community law by restricting to its own undertakings alone the possibility of entering into contracts with Polish undertakings in respect of work to be carried out within its territory, ruled the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Labelling the restrictions as discriminatory, the ECJ found that they could not be justified by any reasonable means.