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Business news and information from the European Union

Brussels plans EUR 100 billion coronavirus solidarity fund

The EU Commission proposed Thursday to set up a EUR 100 bn coronavirus solidarity fund to help businesses stay afloat and workers keep incomes, and to redirect structural funds to coronavirus response.

Three states failed to fulfil obligations on refugees, EU Court rules

Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic failed to fall in with an EU decision for a temporary mechanism to relocate their share of refugees from Greece and Italy, the EU's top Court ruled on Thursday.

New EU rules on power adaptors come into force

A new EU regulation on external power supplies aimed at making a range of household appliances, from laptops to electric toothbrushes, more energy efficient entered into force on 1 April.

EC scientists develop new control material to help prevent coronavirus test failures

Scientists at the EC's Joint European Research Centre have designed new control material that laboratories can use to check the correct functioning of their coronavirus tests and to avoid false negatives.

Guidance to help increase production of safe medical supplies

The EU Commission issued guidance Monday to assist manufacturers in ramping up production of personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers and 3D printing.

EU waives 'use it or lose it' slot rules for airlines

The EU gave the green light Monday to suspend until 24 October airport slot requirements which oblige airlines to use at least 80% of their take-off and landing slots, in order to keep them the following year.

Go-ahead for EU free trade agreement with Vietnam

The EU Council adopted Monday a decision on the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam, clearing the path, on the EU side, for entry into force of the agreement.

Coronavirus: EU approves UK SME support schemes

The EU Commission on Thursday approved two separate UK State aid schemes to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

EU extends liner shipping antitrust exemption for 4 years

The EU on Tuesday prolonged for another four years the regulation outlining conditions under which liner shipping consortia can provide joint services without infringing EU antitrust rules.

EU moves to protect critical European assets

The European Commission issued guidelines Thursday to ensure a strong EU-wide approach to foreign investment screening in a time of public health crisis and related economic vulnerability.

Coronavirus equipment ready soon after joint EU procurement bid

The joint EU procurement of coronavirus personal protective equipment has been a success, says the European Commission, with equipment available two weeks after Member States sign contracts with the bidders.

Netflix, Youtube slow streaming networks to help fight Coronavirus

Netflix and YouTube have agreed to a European request to reduce pressure on the Internet caused by increased demand from social distancing measures in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

'Green lanes' to speed up freight across EU borders

As the coronavirus pandemic continues major disruption to European transport, the EU Commission issued new practical advice Monday on how to keep freight moving across the EU during the current crisis.

EU plans medical equipment stockpile to help fight shortages

The EU Commission announced Thursday it is to create a strategic stockpile of medical equipment such as ventilators and protective masks to help EU countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus: EU passenger rights clarified

As efforts continue to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission published Wednesday guidelines to ensure EU passenger rights are applied in a coherent manner.

Is EU's fight against fake news bearing fruit?

EU efforts to fight the spread of verifiably false or misleading information for the purposes of economic gain or intentionally deceiving the public are to be evaluated by the EU's auditors.

EU shuts borders to non-essential travel for 30 days

EU leaders agreed in a video conference Tuesday that they would reinforce the EU's external borders by placing coordinated, temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU for a period of 30 days.

Start-ups, SMEs take up EUR 344m EU research funding

The European Commission announced Thursday that 107 innovative projects from across Europe are to be supported with EUR 344 million through the EU's European Innovation Council pilot.

Coronavirus: EU set to relax state aid rules to support Europe's economy

The EU Commission sent a proposal to Member States Monday for a temporary state aid framework to support Europe's businesses in the context of the shocks the corona virus is causing to the economy.

Coronavirus: EU acts to prevent shortages

The EU Commission outlined new guidelines related to Coronavirus Monday, aiming to ensure the right treatment of people who have to travel and ensure essential goods and services remain available.

EU package to counter economic impact of Coronavirus

The EU set out Friday its response to the Coronavirus public health emergency with a package to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, centred on a European coordinated response.

EU's Circular Economy plan to clamp down on waste

The EU's Circular Economy action plan, launched Wednesday by the European Commission, outlines measures to reduce waste along the entire life cycle of products we produce, consume and dispose of.

Air passengers entitled to double re-routing compensation, rules EU top Court

Air passengers compensated for a flight cancellation, who agreed to travel on an alternative flight, are also entitled to be compensated for delay in the re-routed flight, the EU's top Court ruled on Thursday.

EU moves to strengthen Coronavirus coordination

EU health and interior ministers are to consult daily on COVID-19, EU leaders decided at a video conference on Wednesday, ensuring proper coordination and aiming for common European guidance.

Coronavirus: Brussels moves to ease slot pressure on airlines

In response to the Coronavirus' impact on airlines, the EU Commission put forward targeted legislation Tuesday to temporarily alleviate airlines from their airport slot usage obligations under EU law.