EU Press

Publish your company news and EU-related articles directly onto the EUbusiness web site and reach a global audience of over 64,000 visitors every month. Email enquiry

COVID-19: Jobs of over 1.1 million EU automobile workers affected so far, data shows

The jobs of at least 1,110,107 Europeans working in automobile manufacturing are affected by factory shutdowns as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, according to data compiled by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Coronavirus: joint statement Copa-Cogeca, FoodDrinkEurope, EuroCommerce

Copa-Cogeca, FoodDrinkEurope and EuroCommerce represent the core actors in the European food supply chain: farmers and agri-cooperatives, food and drink manufacturers, and wholesale and retail distribution.

EDRi calls for fundamental rights-based responses to COVID-19

In a recent statement released on 20 March 2020, European Digital Rights (EDRi) calls on the Member States and institutions of the European Union (EU) to ensure that, while developing public health measures to tackle COVID-19, they:

Coronavirus: EU auto industry faces unprecedented crisis

The effect of the coronavirus on society and the global economy is unprecedented, with grave consequences for the automobile industry.

Statement of the European Social Partners on the COVID-19 emergency

The social partners urge the governments to approve measures

Retailers ask for rising card fees to be tackled in Interchange Fee Regulation

Commerce Director-General Christian Verschueren commented today on the publication of an Ernst & Young study for the European Commission on the effectiveness of the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) and the launch of its own report on retailers’ on-the-ground experience of the IFR’s application:

Support for SMEs needed to master Corona Crisis

President Alban Maggiar reacted positively on the COVID-19 crisis measures announced today by the European Commission and hopes that the Finance Ministers quickly adopt them.

Circular economy needs harmonised approach across Europe and whole supply chain involved

Responding to the Commission Circular Economy Action Plan published today, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren underlined the retail and wholesale sector’s support for the plan’s objective of for speeding up the transition to a circular economy:

EU makes bold pledge for resource-friendly consumer goods

Consumer products sold in Europe will become more environmentally friendly, in a bid to better use depleting natural resources.

SME strategy: SMEs lack systemic change in policy making

In a first reaction to the SME Strategy, SMEunited acknowledges that the strategy develops a very clear picture on the challenges SMEs face, however falls short in creating a gamechanger in policy making.

EU opens door to climate-neutral industry

The EU's new industrial strategy, published today, is an important step on the road to climate-neutrality, making a clear link to the need to decarbonise Europe’s economy.

Industrial Strategy: don't forget services, competition in the EU - and consumers

Commenting today on the Commission package of the Industrial Strategy, strengthening the single market and on SMEs, EuroCommerce Director-General welcomed the concrete steps proposed, but added some thoughts on how to ensure that the Commission ideas were successful in making the whole EU economy globally competitive:

Experts: nuclear, gas and some bioenergy not sustainable under EU taxonomy

The EU’s finance sector will take strides for the climate if the European Commission follows just-published expert advice.

SMEs Call for Economic Support due to COVID-19 Impact

Following the outbreak of the corona virus in Europe and measures taken to contain the spread, SMEunited is receiving information from members indicating already a disastrous impact on some sectors in the economy, especially for SMEs.

Spreading the risks: when genetically engineered organisms go wild

A new peer reviewed paper is published in the international Environmental Sciences Europe journal. The paper addresses specific environmental risks associated with genetically engineered (GE) plants that can spread and propagate in the environment. It is the first publication with a focus on on the risk assessment of so-called next generation effects. The review addresses unintended effects that were observed in spontaneous hybrid offspring but absent in the original plants. Some of the risks include a higher invasive potential of the GE plants and/or disruption of the associated ecosystems.

Climate law sets direction but lacks urgency

The European Commission published a proposal for the EU’s first ever climate law on 4 March. By setting a target for 2050 at the latest, the EU’s proposed climate law puts Europe on an essential course towards net zero emissions.

EU taxonomy: Expert report to tackle greenwashing in finance

The EU’s battle to end greenwashing in the finance sector should gain ground on Monday 9 March when proposed rules on which investments should qualify as climate-friendly are published.

Climate Law: More focus on SMEs needed

Following the presentation of the new Climate Law, SMEunited approves of the key principles underpinning the Commission’s activity to reach climate neutrality at the latest by 2050.

Failing SDG14: EU on a cliff edge for ensuring a sustainable ocean

Five years on from the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda, a new WWF report sounds the alarm to European decision makers and the global signatories of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over failed progress on SDG14, the Goal for conservation and sustainable use of our ocean.

Wholesalers key to Europe's economy

EuroCommerce today launched its report "Wholesale at the Centre of Europe’s Economy" setting out wholesalers' key contribution to making the European economy work.

Settlement reached: Volkswagen to compensate consumers in Germany affected by Dieselgate

German consumer group Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv) and Volkswagen (VW) have reached an out-of-court settlement to compensate drivers affected by the 2015 Dieselgate emissions scandal.

Heathrow runway ruling sets world climate precedent

Commenting on the worldwide implications of the Friends of the Earth campaign win today to protect the climate from Heathrow Third Runway, after a legal victory in the UK court of appeal,

Two-thirds of 250 products bought from online marketplaces fail safety tests, consumer groups find

Six consumer groups from the BEUC network tested 250 electrical goods, toys, cosmetics and other products bought from online marketplaces such as Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and Wish. They selected the products based on possible risks and found that 66% of them fail EU safety laws with possible consequences such as electric shock, fire or suffocation.

Green Deal: Success lies in SMEs

The Green Deal will be successful if it creates the right conditions for new business opportunities for SMEs.

Retail and wholesale see EU Digital Strategy as a positive step towards European competitiveness

EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren, speaking on the launch of the European Digital Strategy by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Commissioner Thierry Breton, underlined the many positive elements in the Commission communication: