Today, the European Commission adopted two proposals to digitalise passports and identity cards, also called ‘EU Digital Travel application’, for individuals travelling to and from the Schengen area. Both EU citizens and non-EU citizens are subject to systematic checks when crossing the EU’s external borders. Currently, these checks are made physically at the border crossing […]
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A new study highlights the key drivers of academic research commercialisation
A recent study supported by the EU-funded ATTRACT2 project looks into if and how open innovation activities and scientists’ entrepreneurial intentions foster the transformation of research outcomes into marketable products. Published in the ‘CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation’, the study analyses five case studies of European research consortia funded under ATTRACT2 to propose potential […]
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From industrial side stream to clean source for biofuels
A new process looks to turn black liquor, a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, into a low-emission biofuel. Cited by the International Energy Agency as the fifth most important fuel on Earth, black liquor has the potential to become the new black gold. “Black liquor is a common by-product of the pulp mills […]
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Commission evaluation shows the benefits and limitations of online consumer protection laws
The Commission published the findings of the Digital Fairness Fitness Check, which evaluates whether the current EU consumer protection laws are fit for purpose to ensure a high level of protection in the digital environment. The Fitness Check covered three core Directives: the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Consumer Rights Directive, and the Unfair Contract Terms Directive. The […]
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Solar panel recycling the affordable, sustainable way
PHOTORAMA receives recognition for its innovative work in photovoltaic panel recycling and raw material recovery. The EU-funded PHOTORAMA project’s efforts to improve photovoltaic (PV) panel recycling and raw material recovery has earned it the prestigious 2024 European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Innovation Award. The award recognises outstanding EU-funded projects whose innovations contribute towards Europe’s clean […]
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Over a hundred companies sign EU AI Pact
The Commission announced over a hundred companies that are the first signatories of the EU artificial intelligence (AI) Pact and its voluntary pledges. The signatories include multinational corporations and European small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from diverse sectors, including IT, telecoms, healthcare, banking, automotive, and aeronautics. The Pact supports industry’s voluntary commitments to start applying the principles of the AI […]
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The Council adopts position on measures to facilitate dispute settlement
The Council adopted its negotiating mandate on a package of measures to adapt the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework to the challenges of the digital world. Many consumers facing a disagreement with a business are reluctant to litigate because of the small amounts involved, long processing times or lack of confidence in the possibility of […]
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EU invests €65 million in quantum chips
The Joint Undertaking for Chips has today opened calls to support research and innovation initiatives in semiconductors. This is the first call of its kind in quantum technologies to increase investment in cutting-edge technologies, in particular quantum chips for computing and sensing. The EU funding for this call is €65 million and is expected to […]
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Commission starts first proceedings to specify Apple’s interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act
Last week , the European Commission started two specification proceedings to assist Apple in complying with its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act (‘DMA’). Under the DMA, Apple must provide free and effective interoperability to third party developers and businesses with hardware and software features controlled by Apple’s operating systems iOS and iPadOS, designated under the DMA. The specification […]
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