The Commission has formally designated Shein as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Shein is a fashion online retailer with an average of more than 45 million monthly users in the European Union. This user number, which Shein has communicated to the Commission, is above the DSA threshold for designation as […]
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April infringement package: main decisions for Spain
The main decisions adopted by the Commission for Spain are presented below, grouped by policy area. Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Commission urges BULGARIA, SPAIN and ROMANIA to comply with public procurement legislation The European Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings by sending a letter of formal notice to Romania [INFR(2023)2114] and by […]
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New EU fiscal rules approved by MEPs
MEPs approved a revamp of EU fiscal rules making them clearer, more investment friendly, better tailored to each country’s situation, and more flexible. The new rules, approved on Tuesday, were provisionally agreed upon between European Parliament and member state negotiators in February. Focus on investments MEPs significantly beefed up the rules to protect a government’s capability to […]
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European Commission backs Spain’s request for a targeted review of its recovery plan
The Commission yesterday endorsed Spain’s request for a specific revision of its Recovery and Resilience Plan, which Spain had submitted to the Commission on 19 March 2024. The proposed amendments are of a technical nature and stem from the comprehensive review of the Spanish plan, which was adopted by the Council on 17 October 2023. […]
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The European Union to conclude a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Japan
The Council adopted this week a decision on the conclusion of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its member states and Japan. The decision facilitates, on the EU side, the entry into force of the agreement as soon as the parties have completed their internal procedures and have notified their counterparts. […]
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EU-Central America: EU Council gives green light to the Association Agreement
The Council adopted last week a decision to conclude the agreement establishing an association between the European Union and its member states, on the one hand, and Central America on the other. This is the final step of the ratification process of the agreement, through which the EU and Central America commit to a close, long-term relationship in […]
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CJEU: The name Pablo Escobar cannot be registered as an EU trade mark
The public would associate that name with drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. On 30 September 2021, Escobar Inc., established in Puerto Rico (United States), filed an application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for registration of the word sign Pablo Escobar as an EU trade mark for a wide range of goods and services. […]
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EU requests consultations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on UK permanent closure of sandeel fisheries
The European Union requested consultations with the United Kingdom under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) regarding the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sandeel, with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable solution. Effective since 26 March 2024, the closure of the sandeel fishery covers English […]
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EU and US hold fourth Joint Dialogue on Technology Competition Policy
Today, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, US Federal Trade Commission (‘FTC’) Chair Lina Khan and the Assistant Attorney General of the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division (‘DOJ’) Jonathan Kanter met in Washington for the fourth meeting of the EU-US Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue (‘TCPD’). The purpose of the dialogue is to further […]
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