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Business news and information from the European Union

EU Parliament go-ahead for trade deal with Singapore

The European Parliament gave its endorsement Wednesday to the free trade and investment protection deals between EU and Singapore, serving as blueprint for further cooperation with Southeast Asia.

EU reaches deal on digital copyright reform

Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to a deal reached late Wednesday on copyright rules which also contains safeguards on freedom of expression.

EU agrees new natural gas transit rules

New rules setting out a clear regulatory framework to operate gas pipelines inside the EU and from non-EU countries were provisionally agreed Tuesday between MEPs and the EU Member States.

EU adds Saudi Arabia to money-laundering blacklist

Saudi Arabia has been added to the EU's list of 23 third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks, revealed Wednesday by the Commission.

MEPs greenlight fisheries management plan for EU's Western Waters

The European Parliament voted through the Multi-annual Fisheries Management Plan for the EU's Western Waters Tuesday, covering the Atlantic Ocean between Ireland and Portugal.

EU moves to allay public concern over food safety studies

The EU Parliament and the Council reached provisional agreement Monday night on draft rules to ensure the EU risk assessment procedure for food safety is more transparent and independent.

New EU rules on fake drugs enter into force

New rules on safety features for prescription medicines sold in the EU entered into force Saturday, heralding the introduction of end-to-end verification and safety features on prescription medicines.

EU strikes deal to boost workers' rights in non-standard jobs

The EU struck a provisional deal Thursday on a proposal for more transparent working conditions, with minimum rights for workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs such as Uber or Deliveroo.

EU lawmakers vote to tighten checks on unsafe products

EU lawmakers gave their approval Thursday to better enforcement of rules on products, tighter checks on the safety of goods sold in the EU, and improving the coordination of market surveillance.

EU competition concerns put halt to Siemens-Alstom rail merger

The EU Commission put a halt to Siemens' proposed acquisition of Alstom Wednesday, saying remedies to concerns that it would harm competition in markets for railway signalling systems and high-speed trains were insufficient.

New plans for accessing health data across EU borders

The Commission presented a set of recommendations Wednesday for the creation of a secure system that will enable citizens to access their electronic health files across EU Member States.

EU cuts forecasts for economic growth amid global uncertainties

Trade tensions and the possibility of a disruptive Brexit are likely to contribute to a slowdown in Europe's economy in 2019, the European Commission said in its Winter Economic Forecast, outlined Thursday.

EU vehicle emissions laws improved since Dieselgate, but challenges remain: auditors

EU laws on vehicle emissions have been improved since the Dieselgate scandal, but challenges remain, according to a new Briefing Paper from the European Court of Auditors, published Wednesday.

EU president Tusk bemoans lack of anti-Brexit leadership

50 days before Britain is due to leave the EU Council president Donald Tusk said many British and Irish people who wished for a reversal of Brexit lacked effective leadership and the political force to remain.

Brussels welcomes speedier Facebook, Twitter responses to hate speech

89 per cent of flagged content is removed by tech giants Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter within 24 hours and 72% of the content deemed to be illegal hate speech is removed, the EU reported on Monday.

New EU derivatives rules to reduce costs and regulatory burdens

The EU Parliament and states reached political agreement Tuesday on rules applying to non-financial counterparties, small financial counterparties and pension funds using financial derivative products.

EU imposes steel tariff-rate quotas from 2 Feb

The EU Commission imposed definitive safeguard measures on imports of steel products on Friday, taking effect on 2 February, and replacing the provisional ones in place since July 2018.

EU company law set to go digital

EU co-legislators agreed Monday on new rules to make it easier to establish a business electronically and promote online operations throughout a company's lifecycle through the use of digital tools.

EU-Japan free trade zone opens for business

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February, allowing businesses and consumers across Europe and in Japan to take advantage of the largest open trade zone in the world.

EU mulls options for a more sustainable Europe by 2030

A Reflection Paper published Wednesday by the EU Commission looks at options to deliver the Union's commitment on UN Sustainable Development Goals, including on the Paris climate change agreement.

EU urges tech giants to step up fight against fake news

The EU Commission called on tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter Tuesday to intensify their efforts to crack down on disinformation in the run up to the 2019 European elections.

New EU property regime for international couples in force

New EU regulations establishing clear rules applicable to property regimes for international married couples or registered partnerships in cases of divorce or death apply as of Tuesday.

CETA investor dispute system 'compatible with EU law'

The investment dispute mechanism of the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA) is compatible with EU law, an advocate-general of the EU Court said Wednesday in an Opinion.

EU agrees provisional deal to strengthen consumer rights online

The EU institutions reached a draft deal Tuesday on new rules to make it easier and safer to buy and sell both goods and digital content across borders - including software, streaming or game downloads.

EU states agree better protection for whistleblowers

The EU is moving towards guaranteeing a high level protection to whistleblowers across a wide range of sectors, following agreement Friday by EU states' ambassadors.