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Summaries of EU Legislation

A collection of summaries of EU legislation presenting the main aspects of European Union legislation. The summaries of European legislation are divided into 32 subject areas corresponding to the activities of the European Union.

Agriculture | Audiovisual and Media | Budget | Competition | Consumers | Customs | Culture | Development | Economic and Monetary Affairs | Education | Employment | Energy | Enlargement | Enterprise | Environment | External Trade | External Relations | Fight Against Fraud | Food Safety | Foreign and Security Policy | Human Rights | Humanitarian Aid | Information Society | Institutional Affairs | Internal Market | Justice, Freedom and Security | Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | Public Health | Regional Policy | Research | Taxation | Transport


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SUMMARIES

Construction Products Regulation 20 June 2015, 11:55 CET
Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC.

Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products 08 June 2011, 22:55 CET
Directive 2004/24/EC covering 'herbal' products has recently passed its transition period and come into force, meaning even traditional herbal products face a process of registration .

Waste Framework Directive 30 April 2011, 00:07 CET
The Waste Framework Directive creates a new framework for waste management in the EU in order to encourage the re-use and the recycling of waste materials and to simplify existing legislation.

The Machinery Directive 30 April 2011, 00:09 CET
CE Marking legislation which covers safety requirements for machinery sold within the Single Market

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 31 March 2011, 13:52 CET
EU CE Marking legislation which covers electromagnetic compatibility of certain products

The Citizens' Initiative 31 March 2011, 13:51 CET
The Lisbon Treaty introduced the European citizens’ initiative which is a new form of public participation in European Union policy shaping.

Late Payment Directive 03 March 2011, 14:31 CET
A summary of the new Late Payment Directive aimed at tackling the problem of late payment for goods and services.

Low Voltage Directive 03 March 2011, 13:29 CET
The Low Voltage Directive forms part of the CE Marking system and covers certain low voltage products.

Product Labelling 01 February 2011, 23:36 CET
A summary of the EU product labelling rules for goods sold within the Single Market.

CE Marking 30 March 2011, 14:42 CET
A summary of the CE Marking process which is required for certain products to be lawfully sold within the Single Market.

EU ban on illegally-harvested timber 28 December 2010, 21:09 CET
The EU has enacted new legislation aimed at those who place timber or timber products on the Single Market. This new legislation bans the sale of illegally-harvested timber and imposes a new system to track its source.

Consumer contracts and Internet services 28 December 2010, 20:12 CET
A recent case from the European Court of Justice has helped to clarify how the Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 will apply in relation to consumer contracts for internet services.

Equality for VAT E-Invoices 01 December 2010, 01:21 CET
New Directive 2010/45/EU sets out measures that ensure tax authorities accept electronic invoices under the same conditions as for paper invoices, and to remove legal obstacles to the transmission and storage of e-invoices. In addition the Directive also comprises measures to help tax authorities ensure that tax is paid so as to better tackle VAT fraud.

Energy Performance of Buildings 30 November 2010, 18:07 CET
Directive 2010/31/EU is new legislation from the EU which regulates how energy efficient all new buildings and renovations must be.

Recovering Taxes and Duties 02 November 2010, 00:31 CET
A short summary of the EU's new framework for collecting taxes and duties across borders within the Single Market.

Self Employed - Equal Treatment 02 November 2010, 00:38 CET
A short summary of the EU's new Directive securing specific rights for all those who run their own business or are self-employed.

EU Ecolabel 19 May 2014, 16:10 CET
The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary award scheme for the most environmentally friendly products on the market. New legislation (Regulation 66/2010) published recently has tried to improve the use and process of awarding the label, as well as creating a designated body responsible for Ecolabel enquiries.

EU Ecolabel 16 July 2014, 23:06 CET
The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary award scheme for the most environmentally friendly products on the market. Although difficult to attain the new legislation Regulation 66/2010 has tried to improve the use and operation of awarding the label, as well as creating a designated body responsible for Ecolabel enquiries.

EU Energy Efficiency Labelling 06 October 2010, 00:03 CET
The new EU Directive 2010/30/EC recasts the old Directive 92/75/EEC on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances. However the old Directive only covered household appliances, the new Directive aims to extend this to commercial and industrial sectors and also some non-energy using products.

Environmental liability - Directive 12 March 2010, 00:10 CET
The first EC legislation whose main objectives include the application of the "polluter pays" principle, this Directive establishes a common framework for liability with a view to preventing and remedying damage to animals, plants, natural habitats and water resources, and damage affecting the land. The liability scheme applies to certain specified occupational activities and to other activities in cases where the operator is at fault or negligent. The public authorities are also responsible for ensuring that the operators responsible take or finance the necessary preventive or remedial measures themselves.

Sanctions against the employment of illegally staying non-EU nationals 05 February 2010, 00:45 CET
Directive 2009/52/EC targets the employment of non-EU nationals who are illegally staying in the European Union (EU), in order to counteract illegal immigration. It provides for minimum common standards on sanctions and other measures (disqualification from public benefits, etc.) and, in serious cases, criminal penalties against employers of said nationals.

Compensation to crime victims 03 February 2010, 19:10 CET
The aim of Council Directive 2004/80/EC is to set up a system of cooperation to facilitate access to compensation for victims of crimes in cross-border situations. This system operates on the basis of Member States' compensation schemes for victims of violent intentional crime committed in their respective territories.

External Borders Fund (2007-2013) 03 February 2010, 17:54 CET
As part of the general programme “Solidarity and management of migration flows”, Decision No 574/2007/EC establishes the External Borders Fund (EBF) for the period 2007-13 with resources totalling €1820 million.

Transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms 14 July 2011, 00:26 CET
This EU Regulation aims to implement the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on preventing biotechnological risks. The aim of the Protocol is to ensure an adequate level of protection for the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that may have adverse effects on the environment and human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements (the movement of GMOs between two States with the excemption of intentional movements between parties to the Cartagena Protocol within the European Community).

ICTs to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy 14 January 2010, 12:02 CET
The EU is committed to a 20 % reduction in its carbon emissions by 2020. This target will be difficult to reach if the potential of ICTs is not fully exploited. ICTs can allow CO2 emissions to be reduced considerably whilst bringing the European Union up to a high level of innovation and competitiveness.