Ecodesign entails the integration of environmental considerations into product development, aiming to create goods with the lowest possible environmental impact throughout their life cycle. EU manufacturers already have to align with ecodesign rules for energy-related products, such as heaters, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners or computers, reducing energy consumption and negative environmental effects in the design stage. […]
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European Green Deal: more sustainable use of plant and soil natural resources
The Commission adopted a package of measures for a sustainable use of key natural resources, which will also strengthen the resilience of EU food systems and farming. A soil monitoring law will put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050, by gathering data on the health of soils and making it available to farmers and […]
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Rule of Law Report 2023 – Abstract and Recommendations for Spain
The Spanish justice system is still undergoing some important developments. The situation of the Council for the Judiciary raises serious concerns as, firstly, the Council has not been renewed in spite of the urgency and, secondly, no steps have been taken to adapt the appointment procedure for its judges-members. The lack of renewal is having […]
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The European Commission has published its Rule of Law Report 2023
The Commission has published its fourth annual Rule of Law Report, taking the pulse of the rule of law situation in each Member State. While Rule of Law concerns remain in some EU Member States, the report has become a key driver for change and positive reforms. In fact, 65% of last year’s recommendations have been, […]
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European Commission adopts market measures to support EU wine producers
The European Commission adopted exceptional measures to address the current imbalances in the wine market of several EU regions. Under wine national support programmes, it will now be possible for Member States to include crisis distillation to remove the excess of wine from the market. Flexibility in the implementation of the wine support programmes is […]
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EU General Court dismisses Puigdemont’s appeal and upholds the waiver of his immunity
Following the holding of the referendum on self-determination on 1 October 2017 in Catalonia (Spain), the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Spanish State Counsel and the VOX political party brought criminal proceedings against a number of individuals, including Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (then President of the Generality of Catalonia), Antoni Comín i Oliveres and Clara […]
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The Commission proposes new rules to ensure stronger enforcement of the GDPR
The Commission proposes a new law to streamline cooperation between data protection authorities (DPAs) when enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation in cross-border cases. The new regulation will set up concrete procedural rules for the authorities when applying the GDPR in cases which affect individuals located in more than one Member State. For example, it will introduce an […]
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4 in 5 NATO Council Representatives are Men: The Need for More Female Representation
Next week a Summit of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) will take place in Vilnius, the city where the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is located. Amidst heightened regional tensions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we are taking a look at the state of play of gender equality in the security sector. It’s a gloomy […]
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2022 EMPACT results: fighting organised crime
The 2022 results of the EU’s flagship instrument to fight organised crime have been published. Across its 15 crime areas, EU-wide law enforcement and judicial actions have led to: 9 922 arrests identification of 4 019 victims of trafficking of human beings 3 646 migrant smugglers arrested over €180 million seized over 62 tonnes of […]
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