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Business news and information from the European Union

Brussels settles antitrust chips dispute with Broadcom — 13 October 2020, 17:07 CET

The EU Commission accepted commitments by Broadcom Wednesday to suspend exclusivity agreements and/or leveraging provisions for Systems-on-a-Chip used in TV set-top boxes and Internet modems.

EU to issue EUR 100bn social bonds to protect jobs — 08 October 2020, 16:29 CET

The EU Commission announced Wednesday that it will issue its forthcoming SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion - designed to help protect jobs and keep people in work through the pandemic - as social bonds.

EU likely to miss targets for recycling plastic packaging — 08 October 2020, 00:19 CET

There is a significant risk that the EU will not meet its plastic packaging recycling targets for 2025 and 2030, according to a review published Tuesday by the European Court of Auditors.

Green light for EU-wide rules on crowdfunding — 06 October 2020, 23:30 CET

The European Parliament gave the go-ahead Monday to a single set of rules for crowdfunding services in the EU up to EUR 5,000,000, including strict rules to protect investors from financial losses.

EU summit agrees sanctions against Belarus regime — 06 October 2020, 22:14 CET

EU leaders at a summit Friday agreed to impose sanctions on the Belarus regime, calling for an end to violence and repression and for new free and fair elections without external interference.

EU candidate countries slow to reform: report — 06 October 2020, 22:13 CET

Turkey and Western Balkan countries looking to join the EU show slow progress on rule of law, corruption, and freedom of the judiciary and the media, the Commission's enlargement review said Tuesday.

EU begins legal action against UK for breaching legal obligations — 04 October 2020, 23:19 CET

Following Britain's refusal to remove parts of its draft Internal Market Bill by end September, the Commission began legal action Thursday for the UK's breach of obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.

EU provisionally agrees improved rights for rail passengers — 04 October 2020, 23:19 CET

Guaranteed rerouting and better help for passengers when there are delays and cancellations form part of updated legislation on stronger rights for train passengers agreed Thursday by the EU institutions.

Poland, Hungary under rule of law spotlight — 01 October 2020, 18:28 CET

Europe faces important challenges to the rule of law, an EU-wide report published Wednesday by the Commission shows, highlighting the threat to Poland's judicial independence and corruption in Hungary.

Brussels unveils 'smarter' customs plan — 01 October 2020, 14:25 CET

The EU Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan Monday, setting out a series of measures to make EU customs 'smarter, more innovative and more efficient' over the next four years.

EU fines car parts cartel EUR 18m — 30 September 2020, 21:42 CET

The Commission fined car parts suppliers Brose and Kiekert a total of EUR 18 million Tuesday for taking part in two cartels concerning supplies of closure systems for cars in the European Economic Area.

EUR 87.4 bn to support workers through COVID-19 — 29 September 2020, 14:26 CET

The EU Council approved Friday financial support of EUR 87.4 bn to 16 Member States in the form of EU loans under SURE - a temporary EU instrument to mitigate unemployment risks during the COVID-19 crisis.

Brussels to appeal Apple tax state aid case in Ireland — 29 September 2020, 14:25 CET

The EU Commission decided Friday to appeal a European Court of Justice judgement which annulled a 2016 EC decision finding that Ireland granted illegal State aid to Apple through selective tax breaks.

Leuven is Europe's Capital of Innovation 2020 — 25 September 2020, 23:57 CET

The city of Leuven in Belgium is the European Capital of Innovation 2020, in recognition of its excellent innovation concepts as well as its processes and governance models that enable ideas come to life.

EU provisionally agrees to reduce Baltic fishing fleet — 25 September 2020, 22:52 CET

The EU Council and European Parliament provisionally agreed Tuesday on measures to support fishermen affected by difficult stocks situations in the Baltic Sea including scrapping vessels.

Record levels of cocaine in Europe: EU drugs agency — 24 September 2020, 00:15 CET

Increase in cocaine availability with seizures at a record high, a near doubling of heroin seizures and high availability of high purity drugs are the stand-out points of the European Drug Report published Tuesday.

Digitalisation of European industry lagging: EU auditors — 23 September 2020, 23:54 CET

Europe's industry is not fully benefiting from advanced technologies to innovate and remain competitive, EU auditors said Tuesday, with some countries still lacking national digitalisation strategies.

Brussels to improve workers' protection against cancer-causing chemicals — 23 September 2020, 14:22 CET

The EU Commission proposed a new revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive Tuesday, with new or revised limit values limiting workers' exposure to three important cancer-causing chemicals.

New Single European Sky proposal to cut aviation emissions up to 10 pct — 23 September 2020, 14:22 CET

The EU Commission put forward a proposal Tuesday to upgrade the Single European Sky regulatory framework, with more modern management of European airspace and more sustainable and efficient flightpaths.

Brussels revises guidelines for EU Emission Trading — 22 September 2020, 18:23 CET

The EU Commission adopted Monday revised guidelines for the EU Emission Trading System in the context of the system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading post-2021 (the ‘ETS Guidelines').

EUIPO, EBAN agreement to empower SMEs — 22 September 2020, 17:32 CET

The EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and EBAN, the early-stage investors network, signed a collaboration agreement Monday to promote and encourage activities to support smaller businesses.

EU outlines measures to achieve new climate goal — 21 September 2020, 23:43 CET

The EU Commission set out details Thursday of its plan, announced by EC chief Ursula von der Leyen, to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

MEPs approve EUR 6.2 bn to tackle crisis, speed up vaccine deployment — 17 September 2020, 23:40 CET

The EU Parliament gave the go-ahead to an increase in the EU budget of EUR 6.2 billion Thursday, to improve the chances of an effective and safe vaccine, and to step up COVID-19-related cohesion funding.

EU launches EUR 1 billion call for green and digital transition — 17 September 2020, 23:26 CET

The European Commission launched Thursday a EUR 1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

Europe needs to be a player, not a playing field, EU tells China — 16 September 2020, 18:31 CET

The EU needs a balanced relationship with China, EU president Charles Michel told Chinese president Xi Monday in a summit which underlined differences over human rights, climate and trade issues.