EU Law
Latest business news about EU law, legal issues and the European Court of Justice
EU reviews options for revised Market Abuse Directive
The European Commission have launched a public consultation on the review of the Market Abuse Directive. Its objective is to consult financial market participants, governments, competent authorities and other stakeholders on the modifications to the Market Abuse Directive that the Commission is considering for its forthcoming legislative proposal.
EU approves Foxconn's acquisition of Sony's television production in Slovakia and Mexico
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by the Taiwanese company Foxconn of Sony entities producing televisions in Slovakia and Mexico.
EU launches multilingual website on succession laws
EU citizens living outside their home countries are confronted with different succession laws in the 27 EU Member States. To help citizens become better informed about these laws, the Council of the Notariats of the EU launched a website today in 22 EU languages plus Croatian.
Harmonised standards: toys
The internal market for toys has contributed to the development of the sector and to consumer protection by harmonising the safety characteristics of toys across the EU. The new Toy Safety Directive strengthens provisions on enforcement and new safety requirements, ensuring children continue to benefit from the highest levels of protection.
New EU measures to ease access to structural funds
The EU adopted yesterday new measures aimed at simplifying management rules for the structural and cohesion funds to help regions tackle the crisis. The changes should help to facilitate access to the funds and accelerate flows of investment at a time when public budgets are under pressure.
Portugal must comply with Natura 2000 rules, warns EC
The European Commission has requested that Portugal ensure coastal developments in sensitive natural areas are fully compliant with EU environmental protection law.
EC tells UK to comply with EU data protection rules
The powers of Britain's data protection authority need to be strengthened if they are to comply with the EU's Data Protection Directive, the European Commission said today.
12 Member States warned to implement EU rules on shareholders' rights
The European Commission is taking action against a twelve EU Member States in the area of public procurement and for late implementation of the Shareholders' Rights Directive.
New EU trust label to make e-trading more reliable
The European Parliament's Internal Market Committee approved today new proposals for a European trust mark to encourage cross-border e-trading by building consumer trust.
EU law: infringement decisions June 2010
In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against 27 Member States for failing to comply properly with their obligations under EU law. These decisions cover many sectors. They aim at ensuring proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses. The Commission has taken 330 decisions, including 45 complaints taking Member States before the EU's Court of Justice, and 3 decisions related to failure to respect a previous Court ruling.
Intellectual property rights - counterfeiting and piracy - Real FAKE competition - guide
Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier and and Members of the European Parliament have awarded prizes to the winners of the "REAL Fake" competition for schools. The competition to design a logo for the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy or posters, short films, games and other materials about counterfeiting and piracy, was initiated by the European Parliament and by the European Commission. This competition was a first step in a larger public awareness campaign that is being launched by the European Union to make Europeans more aware of the dangers of counterfeit and pirated goods and their harmful effects on consumers and the economy. The winners were invited to a grand awards ceremony at the European Parliament, in Brussels.
EU approves EUR 390m aid for Polish gas project
The European Commission has authorised, under the EU state aid rules, the provision of state grants amounting to EUR 390 million for the construction or capacity increase of four underground gas storage sites in Poland.
EU to investigate aid granted to SEA Handling of Italy
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into compensation for losses incurred by SEA Handling, an Italian groundhandling company operating at airports in Milan. The losses have been absorbed by the Italian authorities since 2002 through the public airport operator at Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports.
EU approves acquisition of Mitgas by RWE of Germany
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Mitgas (Germany) by enviaM (Germany), which is wholly controlled by RWE of Germany.
EU okays conditionally DFDS acquisition of Norfolk
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Norfolk, a ferry and cargo shipping provider in the North Sea, by DFDS of Denmark. The approval is conditional upon the conclusion by DFDS of a space charter agreement on routes between the UK and Denmark.
EU approves Procter & Gamble's Sara Lee acquisition
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Sara Lee Air Care business by Procter & Gamble, both of the US.
Commission approves RBS Sempra sale to JP Morgan
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of RBS Sempra Commodities LLP, the commodities trading arm of UK-based Royal Bank of Scotland, by JP Morgan Chase & Co.
EU-US Open Skies: MEPs call for open markets
The European Parliament regrets continuing US restrictions on EU companies' ownership of stakes in US airlines, calls for better protection of air passengers' personal data, and says airlines from both sides should be included in emission trading rules, in a resolution passed on Thursday.
EU must enforce rail liberalisation, say MEPs
The European Commission should launch infringement proceedings without delay against EU Member States who have not yet opened up their rail networks to competition, says the European Parliament in a resolution adopted on Thursday.
EU approves Italian retail gas joint venture between A2A and Gazprom
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation an Italian gas retail supply company between A2A Spa of Italy and Gazprom Germania GmbH, a subsidiary of Gazprom.