On 16 April, the European Commission adopted the 2025-2030 working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation. The plan provides a list of products that should be prioritised to introduce ecodesign requirements and energy labelling over the next five years. This will foster sustainable, repairable, circular and energy efficient products across Europe, in line […]
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EIF supports micro-enterprises and social entrepreneurs
The European Investment Fund (EIF) has signed guarantee agreements with Soria Futuro, Treball Solidari and Fundación Seira to facilitate access to finance for microenterprises and entrepreneurs in the Spanish social sector. The EIF guarantee will enable these organisations to mobilise up to EUR 12 million in favour of the Spanish social sector and reduce the […]
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New screening rules for foreign investment in the EU
On Tuesday, the International Trade Committee adopted revised rules for screening foreign investments in the EU. Under the new rules, more sectors, such as media services, critical raw materials and transport infrastructure, will be subject to mandatory screening by Member States, in order to identify and address foreign investment-related security or public order risks. The […]
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Statement by President von der Leyen on the announcement of universal tariffs by the US
“President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU, is a major blow to the world economy. I deeply regret this choice. Let’s be clear-eyed about the immense consequences. The global economy will massively suffer. Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for […]
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Council adopts regulation on financial benchmarks to ease burden on SMEs
The Council adopted on 24 March a regulation on financial benchmarks, which aims to cut red tape for EU companies, in particular for SMEs. Benchmarks are generally used by companies and investors in the EU as a reference in their financial instruments or contracts. This Regulation amends a 2016 Regulation as regards the scope of […]
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Conference addressing the housing crisis in the European Union
On 24 March, Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis hosted a conference with the Commission to discuss ways to ensure EU citizens can access affordable housing. The conference, organised jointly with the European Commission, addressed the current housing crisis and explore measures that could be taken at EU level to tackle it. MEPs and […]
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Savings and investments union: better financial opportunities for EU citizens and businesses
The Commission has adopted a new strategy to channel savings into productive investments. It seeks to increase EU citizens’ participation in capital markets with broader investment options and improved financial literacy, fostering their wealth and boosting the EU economy. About 70% of household savings in the EU – worth €10 trillion – are held as bank deposits. They are safe and […]
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420 trucks and buses were inspected and 208 violations were detected
In the joint action, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania and Romania hosted inspections. In total, 320 inspectors from transport, police, labour and many other national authorities joined forces with visiting inspectors from 12 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia. During the enforcement action, hundreds of vehicles […]
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Commission responds to unjustified US steel and aluminium tariffs with countermeasures
In response to the imposition of new, unjustified US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, the Commission has launched swift and proportionate countermeasures on US imports into the EU. The Commission regrets the US decision to impose such tariffs, considering them unjustified, disruptive to transatlantic trade, and harmful to businesses and consumers, often resulting in […]
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