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Bringing VAT rules to business realities of the 21st century — 08 December 2022, 22:04 CET

The European Commission published today proposals on the VAT in the digital age initiative. EuroCommerce Director General Christel Delberghe commented:

EU member states mostly fail to improve consumer protection against risks of harmful AI — 06 December 2022, 18:26 CET

Ministers have reached a disappointing position for consumers on the AI Act, a vital piece of legislation to regulate AI and meant to protect consumers from harm the technology could cause.

Silicone bakeware can add unwanted substances to cookies and cakes, consumer groups find — 06 December 2022, 18:23 CET

A new test by ten consumer organisations shows how silicone baking moulds can contaminate cakes, cookies, and other baked goods with unwanted chemicals. BEUC therefore urges the EU to rethink its food packaging laws to better protect consumers.

EU leaders seal deal for groundbreaking law to stop deforestation — 06 December 2022, 16:13 CET

The EU will no longer allow products that are linked to the destruction of forests onto the EU market.

Consumers to get much-needed extra protections when taking out a loan — 02 December 2022, 21:53 CET

Consumers will get much-needed extra protections for a wide range of credit products, according to a final agreement reached today by EU legislators on long overdue revision of the Consumer Credit Directive.

Commission's proposal on the certification of Carbon Dioxide Removal risks undermining real climate action — 30 November 2022, 23:55 CET

Today's Commission proposals on the certification of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) amount to little more than an empty shell, leaving the door wide open to uncertain carbon credits in the land use sector being traded in future under the EU Emission Trading System.

Revised packaging rules put additional constraint on SMEs — 30 November 2022, 23:51 CET

SMEunited disagrees with the policy option to put all responsibility on economic operators to comply with the new obligations on packaging and packaging waste. The new targets will create a serious disruption of the current working methods, without providing for initiatives to mitigate the impact or facilitate the process towards new models.

Where did all the money go? New WWF report analyses how Member States spent their ETS revenues — 29 November 2022, 22:30 CET

Ahead of the next Emission Trading System (ETS) trilogue this evening, part of the Fit for 55 negotiations, WWF is publishing a new report on ETS revenue spending.

EU adequately updates product safety rules for today's market — 29 November 2022, 22:30 CET

EU institutions have concluded a reform of product safety legislation. While the new law reflects market developments such as the rise of connected products, it does not fully tackle the sale of dangerous or non-compliant products via online marketplaces.

Make Better Regulation work better for SMEs! A joint analysis of the SME Test — 29 November 2022, 19:19 CET

BusinessEurope, Eurochambres, and SMEunited have joined forces to analyse the application of the SME Test across the European Commission services. 26 impact assessments have been checked against the European Commission’s own better regulation guidelines to assess whether and to what extent the SME Test, a mandatory tool in ensuring an SME-proofed regulatory regime, is carried out.

WWF: COP27 fails to turn promises into action despite EU U-turn on loss & damage — 20 November 2022, 21:39 CET

WWF argues that ambition has not advanced since COP26 in Glasgow. The world cannot afford to have another COP like this one that fails to increase ambition, finance and credibility.

Commission boosts fight against wildlife trafficking ahead of crucial international meeting — 10 November 2022, 18:35 CET

The newly revised EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking (EU-WAP) published yesterday by the European Commission is a critical step forward in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

New 'Euro' pollutant emission proposal risks slowing down transition to zero-emission transport — 10 November 2022, 18:31 CET

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has serious concerns about the European Commission's proposal for new pollutant emission standards for cars and vans (Euro 7) and trucks and buses (Euro VII), published today.

Car CO2 targets: No time to waste for putting conditions for zero-emissions in place, says industry — 27 October 2022, 23:00 CET

Following this evening's EU deal on CO2 targets for cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) urges European policy makers to shift into higher gear to deploy the enabling conditions for zero-emission mobility.

European retail and wholesale ready to support rapid take-up of instant payments — 27 October 2022, 14:28 CET

Welcoming the Commission’s proposal issued today aimed at accelerating the provision of instant payments across Europe, EuroCommerce Director General Christel Delberghe said:

Instant Payments to become safer, more affordable, and convenient for consumers — 26 October 2022, 18:30 CET

The European Commission today published its plans to make Instant Payments safer, more affordable, and convenient payment option for consumers.

EU Member States adopt ambitious positions on global biodiversity negotiations — 24 October 2022, 23:18 CET

EU Environment Ministers today agreed on their position on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), pledging measurable and time-bound long-term 2050 goals, as well as 2030 intermediate outcomes and action-oriented 2030 targets.

EU Member States ready to show climate leadership ahead of COP27 — 24 October 2022, 23:15 CET

The EU Environment Ministers decided today on the common position with which they will board the plane to Sharm El-Sheikh in two weeks. Overall it looks like the EU packed its responsibility as an international climate leader and is ready for the upcoming climate negotiations at the COP27.

SBS and SMEunited welcome the agreement on the amendment to the Regulation on European standardisation — 20 October 2022, 21:24 CET

SBS and SMEunited welcome the agreement by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on a technical amendment to Regulation 1025/2012 on European standardisation.

3 in 4 Europeans think EU governments should lower prices of sustainable, healthy food - new survey — 20 October 2022, 00:29 CET

As prices go through the roof and sustainable food is increasingly out of people's reach, Europeans feel that it is time for our food systems to be changed. According to a new survey, 76 per cent of European consumers think that their governments should make environmentally friendly food cheaper and half would even agree to make unsustainable food products more expensive.

SMEs require targeted measures to survive energy crisis — 19 October 2022, 22:41 CET

SMEunited calls on all EU Member States to immediately act and implement targeted measures for SMEs that need help during the energy crisis. The emergency regulation already provides the necessary instruments. Furthermore, SMEs ask for a swift prolongation and extension of the State aid crisis framework.

E-mobility: European Parliament infrastructure vote is step in right direction, auto makers say — 19 October 2022, 14:41 CET

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) welcomes the European Parliament vote on the EU-wide roll-out of the charging and refuelling infrastructure needed to power zero-emission cars, vans, trucks and buses.

Electric cars: 6 EU countries have less than 1 charger per 100km of road; 1 charger in 7 is fast — 13 October 2022, 22:26 CET

Not only is there an insufficient number of electric charging points along the road networks in most EU countries, but the vast majority of these do not charge quickly enough, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Consumers' right to compensation for privacy damages under threat — 13 October 2022, 17:32 CET

An Advocate General of the highest European court (CJEU) last week issued a troubling opinion calling into question the GDPR's enforceability by individuals if they have suffered non-material damages, such as psychological distress.

Pilot Talent Pool: important test to alleviate labour and skill shortage — 10 October 2022, 21:54 CET

SMEunited welcomes the launch of the European Commission Pilot Talent Pool focused on the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market.