The Commission has adopted a Charter of Access for Industrial Users to Research and Technology Infrastructures to speed up and simplify companies’ access to Europe’s world-class infrastructures. By putting forward a set of six principles, to be voluntarily endorsed by infrastructures, this initiative aims to help companies to better access infrastructures’ cutting-edge services, ranging from advanced laboratories to […]
EU state aid rules facilitate investment and social support
New guidelines from the European Commission set out how state aid rules allow EU Member States to facilitate investment and provide social assistance. These guidelines help Member States to plan state aid for investment and social support, as set out in the Clean Industry Pact. A tool for managing state aid in the social sector […]
The EU is sending aircraft and firefighters to tackle the devastating forest fires ravaging France and Spain
The EU has deployed assistance to France and Spain through the European Civil Protection Mechanism (ECPM) in response to the forest fires that have triggered one of the largest evacuation operations in Europe, displacing more than 300,000 people in both countries. In France, the EU has deployed seven aeroplanes and four helicopters from the Czech […]
The committee has made a preliminary finding that TikTok breached the Digital Services Act by failing to ensure that accounts were safe for minors
On 24 July, the European Commission sent TikTok some preliminary findings indicating that TikTok accounts held by minors do not meet the safety standards required by the Digital Services Act (DSA). On TikTok, minors can set their account to public. This means that any user, even those without a TikTok account, will be able to […]
Commission invites comments on draft new rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the draft of new Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty (‘Rescue and Restructuring Guidelines’). The new version will align the existing Guidelines with current social, market and technological conditions. The Commission invites Member States and all other interested parties to comment on the draft […]
European Commission renews its commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights
Last July 22, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the European Pillar of Social Rights. It confirms that the Pillar remains the EU’s social shield and compass for fairness in an age of fast transformation, for a Europe that protects and empowers citizens. The Communication assesses progress made in strengthening social rights across the EU and […]
Blue Book Traineeship Programme
Twice a year, the European Commission organises a five-month in-service training programme foruniversitygraduatesandthose with vocational qualifications. What are Blue Book work placements? It is a five-month paid work placement programme organised by the European Commission, which enables participants to gain professional experience within European Union institutions. The Blue Book internship programme aims to reflect the […]
The Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for breaching the Digital Services Act
On 20 July, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for failing to fulfil its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to diligently assess and mitigate risks associated with the sale of illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform. The Commission has ordered the platform to take action in this regard. Failure […]
The Commission publishes guidelines on transparency obligations for providers and operators of certain AI systems
On 20 July, the European Commission published guidelines to help providers and those implementing artificial intelligence (AI) systems to comply with the transparency obligations under the AI Act, which will come into force on 2 August 2026. The transparency obligations will help people recognise when they are interacting with AI or when content has been […]