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Business news and information from the European Union

EU introduces new energy labels for domestic appliances — 04 March 2021, 00:05 CET

A new version of the EU energy label became effective in shops and online retailers Monday, applying to product categories such as fridges, washing machines and TVs, and helping to cut energy bills.

MEPs call for new EU strategy on sustainable tourism — 01 March 2021, 21:11 CET

EU criteria for safe and clean tourism, including a common vaccination certificate, should form part of a new EU strategy on sustainable tourism, a Euro-Parliament committee urged Thursday.

Brussels moves to prolong free roaming in Europe — 25 February 2021, 23:45 CET

Europe's citizens should enjoy roaming without additional charges when travelling in the EU, following the European Commission's proposal Wednesday for a new Roaming Regulation.

New strategy to prepare EU for impact of climate change — 25 February 2021, 23:45 CET

The European Commission adopted Wednesday a new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, setting out a pathway to prepare for the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

EU agrees sanctions against Russia over Navalny — 24 February 2021, 23:40 CET

Russia is drifting towards an authoritarian state and away from Europe, EU foreign affairs ministers said Monday, agreeing sanctions in response to the detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

EU signals more sustainable trade strategy — 24 February 2021, 00:18 CET

The EU Commission set out its future trade strategy Thursday, focusing on an economic recovery that is green and digital, which strengthens multilateralism and reforms global trade rules.

EU prepares for increased threat of Covid variants — 20 February 2021, 01:01 CET

The EU Commission put forward plans Wednesday for a new European bio-defence preparedness plan to pull together available resources to ready the EU against the increased threat of coronavirus variants.

EU Council signs off on airline slot relief — 17 February 2021, 21:43 CET

EU ministers signed off an amendment to the Slot Regulation Monday, relieving airlines of airport slot-use requirements for the summer 2021 scheduling season, to protect airlines and help the environment.

EU stiffens defences against unfair trading — 16 February 2021, 20:48 CET

Robust new trade enforcement rules entered into force in the European Union on Monday designed to further strengthen the EU's toolbox in defending itself against unfair trading practices.

EU growth forecast sees hope at end of Covid tunnel — 16 February 2021, 20:48 CET

With Europe in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, the EU's winter economic forecast provided grounds for cautious optimism Thursday, projecting stronger growth momentum for the second half of 2021 and 2022.

MEPs greenlight EU's EUR 672.5 bn stimulus funding — 11 February 2021, 21:50 CET

The European Parliament gave the green light Wednesday to EUR 672.5 billion in grants and loans from a 'Recovery and Resilience' fund to help EU countries tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

States provisionally agree update to EU ePrivacy rules — 11 February 2021, 21:49 CET

The EU member states agreed Wednesday on a negotiating mandate for revised rules on the protection of privacy and confidentiality in the use of electronic communications services.

Brussels mulls changes to VAT rules for financial and insurance services — 10 February 2021, 21:25 CET

The EU Commission launched a public consultation Tuesday to gather views on the current VAT rules for financial and insurance services, and to seek ideas on possible improvements.

EU agency needs to be more open in pandemic response: Ombudsman — 10 February 2021, 21:05 CET

The EU Ombudsman called Tuesday for greater transparency and public scrutiny at Europe's disease prevention agency, as part of a wide-ranging enquiry into how EU institutions responded to the pandemic.

States fail to transpose new EU telecoms rules — 10 February 2021, 00:01 CET

The EU Commission started legal action Thursday against 24 Member States for failing to enact a new EU telecoms directive which regulates and reforms electronic communications networks and services.

Lift-off for Europe's biggest ever R&D programme — 04 February 2021, 23:36 CET

The EU's Portuguese presidency launched the ambitious research and innovation programme 'Horizon Europe' Tuesday with a budget of EUR 95 billion to spur Europe's economic recovery from 2021-2027.

EU sets out plan for joint action against cancer — 04 February 2021, 23:29 CET

A new EU approach to cancer prevention, treatment and care, outlined Wednesday by the EU Commission, tackles the entire disease pathway from prevention to quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.

Brussels consults on new EU Soil Strategy — 04 February 2021, 17:29 CET

The EU Commission launched a public consultation on a new EU soil strategy Tuesday, the last of a set of consultations on different ecosystems which forms part of the EU's biodiversity strategy.

Innovation divide holds back EU research potential — 02 February 2021, 23:51 CET

The capacity of European firms to take up and develop state-of-the-art technology varies considerably among Member States and prevents the EU from fully exploiting its potential, EU auditors said Tuesday.

EU disburses EUR 14 bn to help fight social impact of Covid — 02 February 2021, 23:46 CET

The EU Commission disbursed EUR 14 billion to nine Member States Tuesday in the fourth instalment of financial support to Member States to help alleviate the social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Stricter EU rules against homemade explosives into force — 02 February 2021, 00:16 CET

New EU rules to restrict access to explosive precursors, in force from Monday, strengthen controls on the sale and marketing of dangerous chemicals used by terrorists to build homemade explosives.

EU sets up 'temporary' Covid vaccine export controls — 01 February 2021, 16:38 CET

Vaccine exports outside the EU will be subject to an authorisation by Member States, the European Commission announced Friday, "to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens".

Wine and food boost for EU-Japan trade deal on 2nd anniversary — 01 February 2021, 16:38 CET

The EU hailed the success of the EU-Japan trade deal on its second anniversary Monday, as it agreed a number of improvements to the agreement in the area of protected foods, wine and vehicle trade.

EU looks to clamp down on website 'greenwashing' — 29 January 2021, 22:43 CET

'Greenwashing' - where websites take advantage of consumers looking to buy environmentally sound products - is on the increase, an EU report on online breaches of EU consumer law found Thursday.

EU okays EUR 2.9 bn battery innovation project — 29 January 2021, 00:54 CET

The Commission gave its approval under EU state aid rules Wednesday to a second Important Project of Common European Interest to support research and innovation in the battery value chain.