MEPs raise alarm over the addictive design features of certain digital services and call for fostering ethical design by default. On Wednesday, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted a draft report (with 38 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention) warning of the addictive nature of certain digital services, such as online […]
Read MoreThe European Parliament is ready to negotiate new European legislation on trafficking in human beings
Parliament adopted its mandate for negotiations with member states to revise rules on combating human trafficking, ahead of a first round of talks in November 2023. The mandate prepared by the Civil Liberties and Women’s Rights committees would expand the scope of the existing directive to include forced marriage, illegal adoption, surrogacy for the purposes of reproductive […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission refers Spain to the Court of Justice of the EU for non-compliance with EU rail rules
The Commission has decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to correctly transpose and apply Directive 2012/34/EU establishing a single European railway area. The Commission takes the view that the rail regulatory framework in Spain is in breach of several provisions of the directive concerning: the management independence of […]
Read MoreThe European Commission has adopted its work programme for 2024
The Commission adopted its 2024 Work Programme, which puts a strong focus on simplifying rules for citizens and businesses across the European Union. This follows up on President von der Leyen’s commitment to reduce reporting requirements by 25%, in line with our strategy to boost the EU’s long-term competitiveness and to provide relief for SMEs. The Work Programme […]
Read MoreEU industry ministers agree new Euro 7 standards
The Council adopted yesterday its position (‘general approach’) on the proposed regulation for the type-approval of motor vehicles and engines, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability, better known as Euro 7. The new regulation, which for the first time covers cars, […]
Read MoreHow does the EU protect you through the new rules for digital platforms?
The European Union has created the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Two laws to better protect users and consumers on the internet. Digital platforms have become very important agents in our daily lives. Today we communicate, buy, search for information or consume audiovisual content through our digital devices. However, this […]
Read MoreThe European Commission has designated six gatekeepers – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft – under the Digital Markets Act
The European Commission has today designated, for the first time, six gatekeepers – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft – under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In total, 22 core platform services provided by gatekeepers have been designated. The six gatekeepers will now have six months to ensure full compliance with the DMA obligations for each of their designated core platform […]
Read MoreNew unitary patent system launched to make it easier for companies to protect their innovations in Europe
The Commission welcomes the launch of the Unitary Patent system today, which will make it simpler and easier for companies to protect their innovations in Europe and capitalise on their intellectual property. The Unitary Patent system will strengthen the EU’s innovation and competitiveness and complete the Single Market for patents. It will initially cover 17 […]
Read MoreSpain amends tax law to improve European tax cooperation
The reform includes the transposition of the DAC Directive7 which obliges Member States to exchange information obtained through digital platforms. The Spanish Parliament has given final approval to the Bill amending the General Tax Law and other tax regulations that give effect to the transposition of the EU Directive 2021/514, known as DAC7. The final […]
Read More