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Business news and information from the European Union

Copyright rules 'for digital age' clear final EU hurdle

The EU gave the green light Monday to rules adapting copyright law to a 'digital single market', protecting authors and artists, with new possibilities for accessing and sharing copyright-protected content online.

EU backs start of trade talks with United States

The EU agreed Monday to adopt negotiating directives to start trade talks with the United States, authorising negotiations on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods and on conformity assessment.

MEPs approve minimum rights for 'gig economy' workers

The EU Parliament approved minimum rights for workers in casual or short-term employment Tuesday, including workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs such as Uber or Deliveroo.

Brexit: EU summit agrees delay until 31 October

EU leaders agreed late Wednesday evening at their special summit to give the United Kingdom an extension of Article 50 until the end of October 2019. Their decision was taken in agreement with the UK.

EU auditors review innovation support for SMEs

The European Court of Auditors is conducting an audit of EU's innovation support scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups, it announced Thursday.

EU maps out road to climate neutrality by 2050

The EU Commission reported progress on the Energy Union Tuesday, particularly its action plan on batteries, and setting out a path to more efficient and democratic decision making in EU energy and climate policy.

EU, China to cooperate on WTO reform after 'honest' talks

The European and China agreed at a summit Tuesday to deepen the EU-China strategic partnership, cooperate on WTO reform and intensify talks to strengthen international rules on industrial subsidies.

EU sets out guidelines for ethical articial intelligence

Based on work of a group of independent experts, the EU Commission launched Monday a pilot phase to ensure that ethical guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and use can be implemented in practice.

Half dangerous goods coming to EU made in China: report

More than half of all dangerous products detected by the EU's 'Safety Gate for dangerous products' came from China, according to the European Commission's 2018 report released Friday.

Final approval for new EU rules to reconcile work and family life

New rules on paternity leave and non-transferable parental leave, given final approval by MEPs on Thursday, strengthen the role of a father and boost women’s representation in the workplace.

Non-EU gas pipelines set to come under EU law

Pipelines entering the EU from non-EU countries will come under EU law, including competition rules, following the EU Parliament's approval Wednesday of new gas market rules providing legal clarity for operators.

EU opens infringement procedure against Poland over judicial independence

The European Commission launched an infringement procedure against Poland Wednesday, citing the aim of protecting Polish judges from political control. The Polish government has 2 months to reply.

EU invests EUR 4 bn in large infrastructure projects

EUR 4 billion of EU funds is to be invested in 25 large infrastructure projects - in areas such as transport, research, environment and energy - in 10 Member States, the Commission announced Tuesday.

EU launches ICT, pharma cases against India, Turkey at WTO

The EU brought two disputes in the World Trade Organisation against India and Turkey Tuesday, respectively targeting unlawful import duties on IT products and unlawful measures on pharmaceuticals.

MEPs back plans to reform EU agriculture

MEPs in committee voted Monday and Tuesday on farm policy reform plans including rules for direct payments and rural development and the common market organisation in agricultural products after 2020.

EU welcomes WTO Boeing ruling against US

The EU has welcomed the World Trade Organisation's ruling Thursday which it says vindicates the EU position that the United States has taken no steps to comply with WTO rules on support to Boeing.

German energy law did not involve state aid: EU Court

A German law that gave support to businesses producing electricity from renewable energy sources did not involve state aid, the EU Court said Thursday in a ruling annulling the Commission decision.

EU seals deal to ban single-use plastics

The EU Parliament gave its green light Wednesday to measures to tackle marine litter, targeting 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches, as well as abandoned fishing gear.

Brussels seeks common approach to 5G security threats

The EU Commission recommended a common EU approach to 5G security Tuesday, setting out measures to ensure 5G infrastructures are resilient and secure from technical or legal 'backdoors'.

Speed limiters to be mandatory in EU cars from 2022

Safety features such as speed limiters and advanced emergency-braking systems would need to be installed in new vehicles from May 2022, under Tuesday's provisional agreement by the EU institutions.

EU to invest EUR 421m in smart, green transport projects

The EU Commission is proposing investment of EUR 421 million in projects promoting digitalisation and fostering intelligent, safe and sustainable finance transport infrastructure projects in Europe.

MEPs vote to end daylight saving time from 2021

2021 could be the last year with a seasonal time change in the EU following the European Parliament's vote Tuesday to end the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour in spring and autumn.

Euro-MPs pass controversial Internet copyright law

The EU Parliament approved new Internet copyright rules Tuesday, giving Internet platforms liability content users upload, and journalists a share of copyright-related revenue obtained by their news publisher.

EU slaps EUR 12.5m antitrust fine on Nike

The EU Commission fined Nike EUR 12.5 million Monday for banning traders from selling the licensed merchandise of some of Europe's best-known football clubs to other countries within the EEA.

As May loses control of Brexit, EU completes 'no-deal' preparations

With the UK set to leave the EU without a deal on 12 April, despite unprecedented moves Monday by the British Parliament to take control of Brexit proceedings, the Commission completed 'no-deal' preparations.