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 MoreElectric bicycles are not considered motor vehicles, declares the Court of Justice of the European Union
A cyclist riding an electric bicycle on a public road near Bruges (Belgium) was the victim of a serious accident: he was struck by a car and was seriously injured. He died several months later. In the course of the subsequent court proceedings concerning a potential right to compensation, a dispute arose with respect to […]
Read MoreHuman Rights: breaches in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Egypt
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Egypt. Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials Parliament strongly denounces the severe human rights violations in Afghanistan and warns that since the Taliban takeover of the country the frequency of human […]
Read MoreMEPs want to tackle inconsistent rules for airline carry-on luggage
In a resolution on uniform standards for airline carry-on luggage, MEPs argue that consistent EU rules on sizing and pricing are needed. The text, adopted with a show hands, highlights citizens’ concerns about the inconvenience and discomfort caused by inconsistent rules on airline carry-on luggage. EU legislation on air passenger rights should be revised to […]
Read MoreSeptember infringement proceedings package concerning Spain: main decisions
Brussels, 28 September 2023. The main decisions adopted by the Commission concerning Spain are presented below, grouped by policy area. The Commission will also close 135 cases that have been settled by the Member States concerned without the Commission having to pursue the procedure further. Environment Letters of formal notice Commission calls on SPAIN to […]
Read MoreGeneral Court upholds geo-blocking which unlawfully restricted cross-border sales of certain PC video games
In agreeing bilaterally to that geo-blocking, the operator of the Steam platform, Valve and five PC video games publishers unlawfully restricted cross-border sales of certain PC video games that are compatible with that platform. Acting on information received concerning geo-blocking of certain PC video games on the Steam platform according to users’ geographical location, the […]
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 MorePortugal’s European Arrest Warrant to Spain does not appear to conflict with ne bis in idem in Case C-164/22
The prohibition of double jeopardy does not appear to preclude the execution of a European arrest warrant against the person responsible for a fraudulent pyramid scheme set up in Spain and in Portugal. The facts on the basis of which that person was convicted in Spain and in Portugal do not appear to be identical […]
Read MoreEl CJEU asks Spanish Courts to compensate fathers who were denied their pension supplement, granted in Spain only to mothers
An administrative practice of systematically refusing to grant that supplement equally to fathers and thus disregarding the inferences to be drawn from the judgment in 2019, in which the Court of Justice declared the grant of that supplement solely to mothers as discriminatory, makes those fathers subject to twofold discrimination By judgment of 12 December […]
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