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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EU-New Zealand Trade Agreement

The European Union has launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with New Zealand. Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost EUR 8.7bn in 2017. The EU is New Zealand's third-biggest trade partner. According to the impact assessment, trade between New Zealand and the EU could increase by 36%; trade in goods could increase by 47%, whereas the services trade could increase by 14%.

Directive on the conservation of wild birds

Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, adopted in 2009, replaces Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979. It aims to protect all European wild birds and the habitats of listed species, in particular through the designation of Special Protection Areas (often known by the acronym SPA).

The Birds Directive

Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species. But at least 32 % of the EU's bird species are currently not in a good conservation status. The Birds Directive aims to protect all of the 500 wild bird species naturally occurring in the European Union.

EU-Australia Trade Agreement

The European Union launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with Australia on 18 June. The EU is Australia's second-biggest trade partner. Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost EUR 48bn in 2017. Bilateral trade in services added an additional EUR 27bn. According to an impact assessment, trade in goods and services between the two partners could increase by around a third.

List of airlines banned within the EU

The EU Safety List - the Community list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban within the Community - is a list of airlines which the European Commission, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 of the European Parliament and the Council of 14 December 2005 on the establishment of a Community list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the Community and on informing air transport passengers of the identity of the operating air carrier and on the basis of the advice of the EU Air Safety Committee, decided to subject to either a complete or a partial operating ban within the European Union, for failure to adhere to the applicable international safety standards.

European Peace Facility

To bolster the EU's ability to safeguard European security interests and prevent conflicts, build peace and strengthen international security, EU High Representative Mogherini on 13 June proposed a new European Peace Facility worth EUR 10.5 billion for 2021-2027.

2018 Skills Forecast

The EU agency for the Development of Vocational Training has published its 2018 skills forecast, with insights in tomorrow's trends in skills demand and supply. The Forecast projections suggest that four in five new jobs will require a high level of skills. The Forecast also projects fast growth of high-skills occupations, with some growth in certain less-skilled jobs (for example, sales, security, cleaning, catering and caring occupations).

Horizon Europe - the next research and innovation framework programme

For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing EUR 100 billion for research and innovation. The new Horizon Europe programme will build on the achievements of the previous research and innovation programme (Horizon 2020) and keep the EU at the forefront of global research and innovation. What went into the Commission's proposal for Horizon Europe, legal framework, factsheets, reports and timeline

Annual reports on the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

The European Commission published its annual Report on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights on 6 June 2018. The report highlights that while 2017 was a year of challenges for fundamental rights, the structures and tools in place to make sure the rights of the Charter are a reality have been functioning. Further support to the respect and promotion of fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy, including the support for a free and vibrant civil society, will remain central in 2018.

InvestEU programme - legal texts and factsheets

The InvestEU Programme will bring together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available and expand the model of the Investment Plan for Europe (the 'Juncker Plan'). With InvestEU, the Commission aims to boost investment, innovation and job creation, triggering an estimated EUR 650 billion in additional investment.

EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

The CFP is a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. Designed to manage a common resource, it gives all European fishing fleets equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds and allows fishermen to compete fairly.

European Plastics Strategy

The first-ever Europe-wide strategy on plastics, adopted on 16 January 2018, is a part of the transition towards a more circular economy.

Excise duties for alcohol

The European Commission proposed on 28 May to reshape the rules governing excise duty on alcohol within the EU, paving the way for a better business environment, reduced costs for small alcohol-producing businesses and better protection for consumer health.

Data protection - Rules for the protection of personal data inside and outside the EU

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Law Enforcement Directive and other rules concerning the protection of personal data, as well as authorities tasked with enforcement.

Rules for business and organisations

Find out what your organisation must do to comply with EU data protection rules and learn how you can help citizens exercising their rights under the regulation.

GDPR - what changes after May 2018

The General Data Protection Regulation rules will apply as of 25 May 2018. They will bring several improvements to deal with data protection violations in the future.

The new EU Data Protection Regulation - rules for European businesses

The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - which applies as of 25 May 2018 - will make it easier for companies to do business across the EU. The new law will help businesses fully benefit from the digital economy throughout the EU's Digital Single Market.

Seven steps to get ready for the GDPR

his guide aims to help those companies that do not handle personal data as a core business activity, such as SMEs that mainly deal with personal data of their employees or have lists of clients and customers. This includes for instance traders or shops, such as a bakery or a butcher, or service providers like architects. This guide highlights the few steps that need to be taken to get ready for the GDPR.

2018 reform of EU data protection rules

Stronger rules on data protection mean people have more control over their personal data and businesses benefit from a level playing field.

How digital is your country? - Digital Economy and Society Index progress by country

Find here the most recent analysis and data by country. A selection of key documents and graphs are shown about topics such as broadband, internet activity and skills, egovernment, ICT in schools, research and innovation, as well as other main indicators.

New vans sold in Europe in 2017: large decrease in annual average CO2 emissions

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new vans registered in the European Union (EU) in 2017 were 4.7% lower than in 2016, according to preliminary data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is the highest annual reduction reported since the regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles came into force in 2011.

Spring 2018 Economic Forecast

Growth rates for the EU and the euro area beat expectations in 2017 to reach a 10-year high at 2.4%. Growth is set to remain strong in 2018 and ease only slightly in 2019, with growth of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively in both the EU and the euro area. Economic forecast documents - GDP growth map - Economic forecast by country

Consular protection for European Union citizens abroad

Under EU law, as an "unrepresented EU citizen", you're entitled to help from any other EU Member State's embassy or consulate - under the same conditions as this EU country helps its own nationals. This website aims to provide you with general information about the right of unrepresented EU citizens to consular protection in third countries under the same conditions as the nationals of that EU country. It also helps you to find out whether your national state has an embassy or consulate in a given third country or territory. If you do not have an embassy or consulate in the country or territory where you are, it provides you with the contact details of embassies and consulates of other Member States that you might wish to contact to seek assistance.

Neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids are active substances used in plant protection products to control harmful insects, which means they are insecticides. The European Commission closely monitors the possible relations between bee health and pesticides and is determined to take the most cautious approach possible to protect bees.

Company Law and Corporate Governance

The purpose of EU rules in this area is to enable businesses to be set up anywhere in the EU; provide protection for shareholders and other parties with a particular interest in companies; make business more efficient and competitive; encourage businesses based in different EU countries to cooperate with each other. Company reporting and auditing complement this legal framework. EU rules in this area - What the EU is doing - Preparatory work - Informal Company Law Expert Group - Action Plan - Studies - Documents