EU web links

A collection of links to web sites of the European Union institutions and other European business web sites.

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Natura 2000 — 20 February 2018, 20:54 CET

Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated respectively under the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.

EU nature and biodiversity law — 20 February 2018, 20:52 CET

At EU level, nature and biodiversity are protected by several laws. The EU has been committed to the protection of nature since the adoption of the Birds Directive in April 1979. It provides comprehensive protection to all wild bird species naturally occurring in the Union. The Habitats Directive was adopted in 1992 to help maintain biodiversity. It protects over 1000 animals and plant species and over 200 types of habitat. It also established the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas. More recently, new legislation has been developed. In 1999, the EU reinforced the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity and, in the wake of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, committed to protect native biodiversity and ecosystem services against invasive alien species. We also have legislation regulating certain aspects of wildlife trade.

Cohesion Open Data Platform — 08 February 2018, 15:38 CET

Giving access to data on financing and achievements under the ESI Funds 2014-2020. The platform visualises, for over 530 programmes, the latest data available (Dec. 2016 for achievements, Sept. 2017 for finances implemented, daily updates for EU payments).

EU Emissions Trading System — 06 February 2018, 22:47 CET

The EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. It is the world's first major carbon market and remains the biggest one.

Geo-blocking — 06 February 2018, 21:02 CET

Geo-blocking and other geographically-based restrictions undermine online shopping and cross-border sales. The Digital Single Market strategy includes a commitment for an initiative to end unjustified geo-blocking by way of legislative proposals.

EU Plastics Strategy — 01 February 2018, 17:43 CET

There is an urgent need to tackle the environmental problems that cast a long shadow over the production, use and consumption of plastics. The million tonnes of plastic litter that end up in the oceans every year are one of their most visible and alarming signs of these problems, causing growing public concern. The EU Plastics Strategy lays the foundations to a new plastics economy, where the design and production of plastics and plastic products fully respect reuse, repair and recycling needs and more sustainable materials are developed and promoted. This will deliver greater added value and prosperity in Europe and boost innovation. It will curb plastic pollution and its adverse impact on our lives and the environment.

Blockchain Technologies — 01 February 2018, 16:04 CET

The European Commission aims to develop a common approach on Blockchain technology for the EU in the international arena. Blockchain may bring great improvements for the European industry - from start-ups to large corporates, administrations and citizens. It can enable the provision of more efficient services and the emergence of new ones by: improving business processes in governments, companies and organisations; enabling new distributed business and interaction models based on direct peer-to-peer exchanges without the need for centralised platforms or intermediaries.

Energy Efficiency of Buildings — 31 January 2018, 22:51 CET

Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. While new buildings generally need fewer than three to five litres of heating oil per square meter per year, older buildings consume about 25 litres on average. Some buildings even require up to 60 litres. Currently, about 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old. By improving the energy efficiency of buildings, we could reduce total EU energy consumption by 5-6% and lower CO2 emissions by about 5%.

Medical devices — 31 January 2018, 15:43 CET

The diversity and innovativeness of the medical devices sector contributes significantly to enhancing the safety, quality and efficacy of healthcare in the EU. Covering a wide range of products, from simple bandages or sticking plasters to the most sophisticated X-ray equipment, the medical devices sector plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring and treatment of diseases. It also helps improve the quality of life of those with disabilities.

Action Plan on VAT - Towards a single EU VAT area — 18 January 2018, 16:47 CET

On 7 April 2016 the European Commission adopted an Action Plan on VAT - Towards a single EU VAT area. Following adoption of this Action Plan, the European Commission has made a series of proposals to work towards its completion.

Circular economy - Eurostat facts and figures — 17 January 2018, 23:23 CET

A circular economy aims to maintain the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible and minimise the generation of waste. The European Commission published on 16 January a Communication on the monitoring framework for the circular economy and an accompanying staff working document. In order to underpin this initiative, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, is launching a new website section dedicated to circular economy reporting all the indicators of the monitoring framework, updated with latest data, as well as supporting visualisation tools.

Clean Energy for All Europeans — 17 January 2018, 20:44 CET

On 30 November 2016, the European Commission presented a new package of measures with the goal of providing the stable legislative framework needed to facilitate the clean energy transition - and thereby taking a significant step towards the creation of the Energy Union. Aimed at enabling the EU to deliver on its Paris Agreement commitments, the 'Clean Energy for All Europeans' proposals are intended to help the EU energy sector become more stable, more competitive, and more sustainable, and fit for the 21st century. With a view to stimulating investment in the clean energy transition, the package has three main goals: Putting energy efficiency first; Achieving global leadership in renewable energies; Providing a fair deal for consumers

Directive on Payment Services (PSD) — 12 January 2018, 18:37 CET

The European Commission is working to create an efficient and integrated market for payment services in the EU. The EU is aiming to create a single payment area which lets citizens and businesses make cross-border payments as easily and safely as they would in their own countries; and where cross-border payments are subject to the same charges as domestic payments.

Novel food — 04 January 2018, 00:01 CET

Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force.

Preliminary results of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union — 03 January 2018, 18:15 CET

The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU worked with a total of 377 drafts, including legislative initiatives, strategies and communications, Estonia also brought new topics to the agenda.

Inter-institutional register of delegated acts — 14 December 2017, 19:19 CET

This register gives you access to the various steps in the preparation, adoption, scrutiny and publication of delegated acts. Delegated acts supplement or amend existing EU legislation.

Approval of pesticides in the EU — 12 December 2017, 23:15 CET

What are pesticides? Who decides on their authorisation? Who is responsible for their use? How can pesticides be used safely? An active substance is only approved by the European Commission after a rigorous and lengthy science-based assessment to ensure its use is safe. The assessment of these dossiers is then conducted jointly by: the national authorities in EU Member States; the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

EU External Investment Plan (EIP) — 12 December 2017, 17:49 CET

The External Investment Plan (EIP) was adopted in September 2017 to help boost investment in partner countries in Africa and the European Neighbourhood. It aims to: contribute to the UN's sustainable development goals (SDG) while tackling some of the root causes of migration; mobilise and leverage sustainable public and private investments to improve economic and social development with a particular focus on decent job creation.The EIP supports partner countries by: mobilising finance - through the European Fund for Sustainable Development; providing technical assistance to help prepare investment projects; developing a favourable investment climate and business environment.

Access City Award — 07 December 2017, 13:20 CET

European cities today have a steadily ageing population, as well as a growing number of persons with disabilities. These Europeans have difficulty getting around in the urban environment and making full use of the services and facilities which others take for granted. The Access City Award recognises and celebrates a city's willingness, capability and efforts to ensure accessibility in order to guarantee equal access to fundamental rights; improve the quality of life of its population and ensure that everybody - regardless of age, mobility or ability - has equal access to all the resources and pleasures cities have to offer.

EU trade defence — 06 December 2017, 22:36 CET

The EU stands firm against unfair trade practices through anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures. This is necessary to uphold the EU's commitment to open markets. The EU is one of the main users of trade defence instruments globally. It ensures that procedures are followed rigorously and takes all the Union’s interests into account. The EU applies trade defence instruments in accordance with EU and WTO law. The European Commission monitors the application of these instruments, follows up the enforcement of measures and negotiates future rules with international partners.

Urban Agenda for the EU — 30 November 2017, 14:25 CET

The Commission is working together with cities to ensure a good quality of life. See how the Commission helps cities to grow sustainably through sharing of knowledge, funding, and other urban policies and initiatives.

Guidance to help pharma companies prepare for Brexit — 30 November 2017, 13:59 CET

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published additional guidance to help pharmaceutical companies prepare for the United Kingdom’s (UK) withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The guidance document outlines the practical and simplified requirements that companies should follow when they apply for changes to their marketing authorisation to allow for the continued marketing of their medicine in the European Economic Area after the UK withdraws from the EU. The guidance has been prepared on the basis that the UK will become a third country as of 30 March 2019.

Joint Africa-EU Strategy — 30 November 2017, 14:14 CET

The Joint Africa-EU Strategy was launched at the Africa–EU Summit in Lisbon in 2007 and sets out the intention of both continents to move beyond a donor/recipient relationship towards long-term cooperation on jointly identified, mutual and complementary interests. It is based on principles of ownership, partnership and solidarity and its adoption marks a new phase in Africa-EU relations.

What I need to know about Biosimilar Medicines - Information for patients — 29 November 2017, 17:15 CET

The European Commission launched today additional translations of the Q&A paper “What I Need to Know about Biosimilar Medicines – Information for patients’’ making it available now in 23 official European languages, in order to provide patients with easy-to-understand information about biosimilar medicines. What are biosimilar medicines? How are they produced? How are they approved? Are they safe? – These questions and many more are addressed in this paper. Empowering patients to engage, discuss and participate in decisions on their treatment options is key to improving patient outcomes and contributing to the effective treatment of their individual condition(s).

SME Performance Review — 23 November 2017, 15:35 CET

The SME Performance Review is one of the main tools the European Commission uses to monitor and assess countries' progress in implementing the Small Business Act (SBA) on a yearly basis. With an emphasis on the measures from the SBA Action Plan, the review brings comprehensive information on the performance of SMEs in EU countries and other partner countries. It consists of two parts: an annual report on European SMEs and SBA country fact sheets.