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Business news and information from the European Union

Air pollution better in Europe, but deaths still too high — 24 November 2020, 23:40 CET

Almost all Europeans still suffer from air pollution, leading to about 400,000 premature deaths across the continent, according to a report on air quality published Monday by the European Environment Agency.

G20 leaders agree to make Covid vaccines available and affordable for all — 24 November 2020, 00:00 CET

At the weekend summit of the G20 countries, leaders expressed a commitment to coordinated global action to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and support for the most vulnerable and fragile countries.

EU plans ambitious increase in offshore wind capacity — 23 November 2020, 23:56 CET

EU plans for a fivefold increase in Europe's offshore wind capacity by 2030, were outlined Thursday by the Commission in a new strategy for renewables, including ocean energy and emerging technologies.

EU leaders to step up pandemic coordination — 20 November 2020, 16:45 CET

EU leaders agreed Thursday to strengthen coordination on combating the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on mutual recognition of tests, vaccine deployment and a common approach to lifting restrictive measures.

EU Court rules against French ban on marketing CBD — 19 November 2020, 18:08 CET

The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday against France's ban on the marketing of wholly hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), when it has been lawfully produced in another EU Member State.

EU states receive EUR 14 bn pandemic help — 19 November 2020, 17:27 CET

As the second COVID wave hits Europe hard, the EU Commission Tuesday disbursed some EUR 14 billion to nine EU countries in the second instalment of loans to help finance short-time work schemes.

Brussels urges speedy action to boost post-COVID recovery — 19 November 2020, 17:27 CET

The EU Commission issued its autumn economic package Wednesday, aiming to steer EU economies into calmer waters after the COVID pandemic with policy guidance for Europe's collective recovery.

EUR 280m EU funding for environment and climate action projects — 18 November 2020, 23:47 CET

The EU Commission approved Monday EU funding of EUR 280 million for over 120 new environment, nature, and climate action projects, expected to trigger total investments of nearly EUR 590 million.

EU launches new complaints system to fight trade barriers — 17 November 2020, 18:50 CET

The Commission has launched a new complaints system for reporting market access barriers and breaches of Trade and Sustainable Development commitments in the EU's trade agreements.

Commission outlines consumer strategy for next 5 years — 16 November 2020, 21:56 CET

The 'Consumer Agenda', published by the EU Commission Friday, sets out its consumer policy objectives for the next five years, and will serve as guidance to include consumer interests in all policy areas.

Brussels outlines EU's first-ever LGBTIQ strategy — 15 November 2020, 17:01 CET

The Commission presented Thursday an EU Strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) equality, aimed at combating homophobia and transphobia within the Union.

EU agrees deal on long-term budget for post-COVID recovery — 12 November 2020, 17:01 CET

The EU Parliament and Member States agreed Tuesday on Europe's long-term budget and extra funding to rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe centred on jobs, competitiveness, and better climate protection.

EU approves BioNTech -Pfizer contract for access to vaccine — 12 November 2020, 17:01 CET

The Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer Wednesday, providing for an initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU Member States.

Amazon charged with breaching EU antitrust rules — 11 November 2020, 23:46 CET

The European Commission informed Amazon Tuesday of its preliminary view that the American e-commerce giant has breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in online retail markets.

EU sets human rights controls on 'dual use' exports — 10 November 2020, 18:34 CET

The EU institutions agreed Monday new criteria for exporting 'dual use' products and technologies, including cyber-surveillance tools, that can be repurposed in ways which violate human rights.

Auditors pass 2019 EU accounts, but 'too many spending errors' — 10 November 2020, 18:30 CET

EU auditors signed off the EU's 2019 accounts as 'true and fair' Tuesday, but their annual report concluded that payments had too many errors, and they also issued an adverse opinion on expenditure.

Access to EU funds to be conditional on rule of law — 09 November 2020, 23:38 CET

EU countries that disrespect the rule of law will risk losing access to EU funds, under a provisional deal on 'budget conditionality' struck by the EU Parliament and Council negotiators on Thursday.

Pandemic resurgence stalls Europe's growth rebound — 09 November 2020, 23:38 CET

As the coronavirus' second wave dashes hopes for a quick rebound for Europe's economy, economic output is not forecast to return pre-pandemic levels till 2022, the EU said Thursday in its autumn forecast.

Class actions in Europe move a step closer — 05 November 2020, 22:10 CET

The EU Council adopted its position at first reading Wednesday on a draft directive on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers within Europe.

Auditors assess EU support for European tourism — 05 November 2020, 17:28 CET

Auditors are to analyse the effectiveness of EU funding for European tourism, whether it provided suitable support prior to the pandemic, and EU efforts to limit the negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

EU leaders strengthen resolve as 2nd Covid wave hits Europe — 04 November 2020, 23:15 CET

EU leaders at a summit Thursday resolved to strengthen their collective effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on testing and tracing policies, and on vaccines.

Harmonised procedures boost rail sector across EU — 04 November 2020, 23:15 CET

As of 31 October, Europe's rail sector will benefit from new harmonised procedures expected to significantly simplify procedures and reduce costs for railway undertakings operating across Europe.

Covid crisis needs adequate minimum wages, says EC — 03 November 2020, 00:16 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday a new directive to ensure that EU workers are protected by adequate minimum wages allowing for a decent living during the COVID crisis.

Brussels puts forward Atlantic and North Sea 2021 fish quotas — 30 October 2020, 23:19 CET

The EU Commission set out its proposal for catch limits for fish stocks in the Atlantic and North Sea Tuesday, the basis for EU fisheries ministers to set final catch limits at a 15-16 December Council.

EU gets WTO green light for tariffs on US exports over Boeing — 28 October 2020, 23:18 CET

The WTO's dispute settlement body gave formal authorisation Monday for the EU to increase duties on U.S. exports worth up to $4 billion, in retaliation for illegal subsidies granted to U.S. aircraft maker Boeing.