EU Law
Latest business news about EU law, legal issues and the European Court of Justice
MEPs vote to speed up recovery of criminal assets
MEPs in committee approved new legislation on seizing criminal assets Tuesday to ensure fast and efficient freezing operations everywhere in the EU, and quicker compensation for victims.
Corruption
Corruption, commonly referred to as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, is a multi-sector phenomenon, present both in the public and private sector, and in the political arena. While corruption can take the form of petty crime or complex high-level corruption, it can also hide behind favouritism and nepotism, conflicts of interest and revolving doors – where business meets politics.
Stronger rules to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide - guide
The European Commission unveiled on 3 May 2023 a set of measures to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide, including new and strengthened rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU, as well as a proposal from the EU's foreign policy chief to establish a dedicated Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) sanctions regime to target serious acts of corruption worldwide.
EU targets corruption crime in Europe and worldwide
The Commission set out Wednesday a raft of new rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU, as well as a sanctions regime to target serious acts of corruption worldwide.
April Infringements package: key decisions
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
EU proposes new rules on transfer of criminal proceedings
The European Commission adopted a proposal Thursday for a Regulation which aims to harmonise the rules on transfer of criminal proceedings between EU Member States.
New proposals on transfer of criminal proceedings between EU Member States
The European Commission adopted on 5 April a proposal for a Regulation on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States.
Schengen info systems upgrade now in force
A strengthened Schengen Information System (SIS) entered into operation Tuesday, with more complete and reliable information to enhance security and border management in Europe.
WhatsApp promises EU to change practices
Following dialogue with consumer protection authorities and the EU Commission, the US WhatsApp messenger service committed Monday to being more transparent on changes to its terms of service.
Germany go-ahead for EU's unitary patent system
Germany's deposition of instrument on the ratification of the Unified Patent Court Agreement Monday triggered the final step required for the Unitary Patent system to start operating on 1 June 2023.
Unitary patent system
The European Commission actively promotes the implementation of the European patent with unitary effect (the 'unitary patent') and the establishment of a new patent court. The unitary patent is a legal title that will provide uniform protection across all participating countries on a one-stop-shop basis, providing huge cost advantages and reducing administrative burdens. The Unified Patent Court offers a single, specialised patent jurisdiction.
February 2023 infringements package: key decisions
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
January 2023 infringements package: key decisions
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against EU Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
EU strengthens resilience against cybercrime
Two EU directives on critical and digital infrastructure entered into force Monday to strengthen EU resilience against online and offline threats from cyberattacks to crime, risks to health or natural disasters.
43 pct websites broke EU rules during Black Friday
The Commission and national consumer protection authorities released Monday results of a website screening (sweep), aimed at verifying how price reductions were presented on Black Friday 2022.
Ukraine: Commission proposes to criminalise sanctions violations
As Russia continues its aggression on Ukraine, the European Union put forward Friday a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.
Commission proposal to criminalise evasion of EU sanctions - guide
The European Commission put forward on 2 December a proposal to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures.
EU weighs up options for Russia to pay for its crimes
The European Commission presented the EU Council with a number of options Wednesday to make sure Russia is held accountable for the atrocities and crimes committed during its war in Ukraine.
Industrial designs in EU to become cheaper, more predictable
The European Commission presented proposals for revised rules on industrial designs Tuesday designed to make it cheaper, quicker and more predictable to protect industrial designs across the EU.
EU must freeze funding to Hungary, insist MEPs
The EU should resist pressure from Hungary and go ahead with adopting the proposed rule of law conditionality measures to suspend EU cohesion funds, Europe's Parliament said on Thursday.