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Business news and information from the European Union

Brexit: EU adopts 'no-deal' contingency measures — 20 March 2019, 14:11 CET

The EU Council adopted Tuesday a series of legislative acts as part of its contingency preparations for a 'no-deal' Brexit, aiming to limit the most severe damage a disorderly Brexit would cause business and citizens.

Brussels launches 'eLeniency' tool to help break cartels — 19 March 2019, 23:24 CET

A new online 'eLeniency' tool, launched by the EU on Tuesday, is aimed at making it it easier for companies and lawyers to submit documents as part of leniency and settlement proceedings in cartel cases.

Brussels adopts framework for intelligent transport — 19 March 2019, 14:01 CET

The EU Commission adopted Wednesday new rules stepping up the deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems on Europe's roads, a key stage in enabling communication among vehicles.

Russian disinformation main source of fake news in Europe, say MEPs — 19 March 2019, 14:01 CET

Russia's disinformation campaigns are the main source of fake news in Europe, along with China, Iran and North Korea, MEPs said Thursday, calling on the EU to fight back against hostile propaganda.

EU paves way for safe operation of drones — 15 March 2019, 00:38 CET

The European Commission adopted common EU-wide rules for drones Tuesday, setting technical requirements and features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely.

Supervision of organic imports needs to be improved: EU auditors — 14 March 2019, 15:29 CET

While the control system for organic products in the EU has improved in recent years, action is needed on the supervision of imports as well as on product traceability, says a European Court of Auditors report.

Drug use increase in European cities: wastewater report — 14 March 2019, 14:23 CET

The latest findings from the largest European project in the emerging science of wastewater analysis were presented Thursday by the Europe-wide SCORE group, in association with the EU drugs agency.

Agreement paves way for better VAT collection on online sales — 13 March 2019, 22:58 CET

EU Member States reached agreement Tuesday on detailed measures needed to simplify VAT rules for sales of goods online, also ensuring that online marketplaces play their part in the fight against tax fraud.

Foreign ownership of European companies on the rise — 13 March 2019, 22:55 CET

There has been a continuous rise in foreign company ownership in key sectors in the EU and an increase in investments from emerging economies such as China, a report detailing foreign direct investment in the EU shows.

EU adds Bermuda, UAE to revised tax haven blacklist — 13 March 2019, 18:54 CET

EU finance ministers added Bermuda, the United Arabic Emirates and eight other jurisdictions to a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes Tuesday, bringing to 15 the number of countries on the list.

First EU whistleblower law 'to protect interests of citizens' — 13 March 2019, 18:30 CET

EU negotiators reached an agreement Tuesday on rules to protect whistleblowers, with a new system to protect and encourage reporting of breaches of EU law in a range of areas including tax fraud and public procurement.

MEPs call for tougher cyber-security to counter Chinese 5G threat — 12 March 2019, 18:30 CET

The EU Parliament called Tuesday for action at EU level on the security threats linked to China’s growing technological presence in the EU, as it adopted a new Cybersecurity certification scheme for products, processes and services.

Consumer goods to get simpler EU energy labels — 12 March 2019, 18:28 CET

New energy efficiency labels for lighting, fridges, TV screens, dishwashers and washing machines, adopted Monday by the EU Commission, will enable consumers to better understand how much energy their appliances consume.

Brussels accepts Disney, Sony commitments on pay-TV — 07 March 2019, 23:48 CET

The European Commission accepted Thursday commitments offered by Disney, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and Sky regarding concerns over film licensing contracts for pay-TV with Sky UK.

European water quality set for EU upgrade — 07 March 2019, 23:35 CET

The EU Council adopted its position Tuesday on a proposal to revise the drinking water directive, a result of the first-ever successful European citizens' initiative, launched to ensure that water remains a public service and a public good.

Europe brings about step change on migration, but challenges remain — 07 March 2019, 17:13 CET

The EU took stock Wednesday of progress made over the past 4 years on its migration agenda, claiming significant progress in difficult circumstances, and setting out measures still required to address the migration challenges.

EU to start screening foreign direct investment from April — 07 March 2019, 17:13 CET

A set of new rules to scrutinise foreign direct investments on the grounds of security or public order will come into force from April, following their green light Tuesday by the EU Council.

Food agency must reveal glyphosate studies: EU Court — 07 March 2019, 15:49 CET

The EU's top Court annulled Thursday decisions by the EU food agency EFSA to refuse access to studies on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of the pesticide glyphosate, which the World Health Organisation has linked to cancer.

EU hits car safety equipment suppliers with EUR 368m cartel fine — 05 March 2019, 21:16 CET

The EU Commission fined Autoliv and TRW EUR 368,277,000 for breaching EU antitrust rules Tuesday. Autoliv, TRW and Takata took part in two cartels to supply car seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels to European car producers.

EU and Qatar sign aviation agreement, first with a Gulf state — 05 March 2019, 18:17 CET

The EU Commission and the State of Qatar initialled Monday an aviation agreement - the first such agreement between the EU and a Gulf state, upgrading the rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU.

EU on the right track towards a circular economy: report — 05 March 2019, 13:06 CET

The European Union is making good progress on the road to a climate-neutral, competitive circular economy, the EU Commission declared Monday as it published a report on implementation of its 'Circular Economy Action Plan'.

Facebook not keeping to commitments on disinformation, says EU — 05 March 2019, 13:06 CET

Social media platform Facebook is not keeping to commitments it made on disinformation with regard to scrutiny of ad placements, the EU Commission said as it published progress reports from Facebook, Google and Twitter Thursday.

MEPs vote to end biannual clock change in Europe — 05 March 2019, 13:04 CET

The last Sunday in March 2021 could mark the end of seasonal changes of time in the EU, following a vote Monday by the European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee to end biannual clock changes.

Auditors examine effectiveness of EU fight against superbugs — 01 March 2019, 00:39 CET

The European Court of Auditors is conducting an audit of EU action against superbugs, including bacteria which have become resistant to antibiotics, to assess the relevance and effectiveness of EU contributions and support.

New EU low-carbon benchmarks boost for sustainable investment — 01 March 2019, 00:35 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a proposal for new financial benchmarks aimed at giving greater information on an investment portfolio's carbon footprint.