The Council therefore recommends that member states provide and strengthen robust social safety nets by combining adequate income support through minimum income benefits and other accompanying monetary benefits, in-kind benefits, and by giving access to enabling and essential services. This Council recommendation aims to: Combating poverty and social exclusion, Pursueing high levels of employment by […]
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European Commission detects manipulation practices in 148 of the 399 online stores examined
The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities of 23 Member States, Norway and Iceland (CPC Network), released the results of a screening (“sweep”) of retail websites. This check covered 399 online shops of retail traders selling products ranging from textiles to electronic goods. It also focused on three specific types of manipulative practices that […]
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Consumer protection: Google commits to comply with EU rules to provide consumers with clearer, more accurate information
Have you ever struggled to understand whether you were buying directly from Google or from a different brand, or had difficulty finding information about final costs? In order to further align its practices with EU law – mainly on lack of transparency and clear information to consumers – Google has committed to introduce changes in […]
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EU trade with Russia declined strongly
EU trade with Russia has been strongly affected following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the EU imposing import and export restrictions on several products. The effects of these measures have been particularly visible in the latest months. Considering seasonally adjusted values, both exports and imports dropped considerably below the levels prior to Russia’s invasion. Russia’s share in extra-EU imports fell from 6.4% […]
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MEPs adopt legislation to boost EU chips industry
On Tuesday, MEPs backed plans to secure the EU supply of chips by boosting production and innovation, and setting up emergency measures against shortages. The Industry and Energy Committee adopted two draft bills: one on the “Chips Act” that aims to bolster technological capacity and innovation in the EU Chips ecosystem and a second one […]
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Commission launches consultation on reform to support a clean and affordable energy transition
The European Commission is launching a public consultation on the reform of the European Union’s electricity market design to better protect consumers from excessive price volatility, support their access to secure energy from clean sources, and make the market more resilient. The current system has delivered an efficient, well-integrated market for many years, allowing the EU […]
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EIB and the region of Valencia sign €50 million loan agreement for FGV to modernise and expand sustainable public rail transport
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the region of Valencia have signed a €50 million finance contract for Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), a public company owned by the regional government responsible for operating and managing regional railways, the Valencia metro network and the Alicante tram. The loan is the first tranche of approved financing […]
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EU increases humanitarian aid funding to 1.7 billion euros for 2023
As humanitarian needs continue to rise globally, the EU maintains its commitment to support those in need by adopting its initial annual humanitarian budget of €1.7 billion for 2023. Human-induced humanitarian crises, resulting from wars with often widespread violations of international humanitarian law, conflicts or outbreaks of violence are the main source of humanitarian needs […]
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Digital Markets Act: rules for digital gatekeepers to ensure open markets enter into force
The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) entered into force on 1 November. The new Regulation will put an end to unfair practices by companies that act as gatekeepers in the online platform economy. It was proposed by the Commission in December 2020 and agreed by the European Parliament and the Council in record-time, in March […]
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