The Council and the European Parliament reached today a provisional deal on the regulation for geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products. Once this regulation is finally approved, geographical indications (GIs), which up to now were used mainly for foods and beverages, will be enlarged to industrial products whose qualities are essentially linked to the […]
European Council adopts legislation making products safer for European consumers
The Council adopted the General Product Safety Regulation, which strengthens safety standards for products sold both online and face-to-face. The rules will strengthen market surveillance of unsafe products and the rights of consumers who have been sold an unsafe product. The adopted Regulation reinforces product safety and consumer protection, and facilitates the repair, return or […]
European Council sanctions 8 more individuals and 1 entity for human rights violations in Iran
The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on eight additional individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The Council is sanctioning Ariantel, an Iranian mobile service provider, which contributed to the telecommunications surveillance architecture mapped out by the Iranian government to quash dissent and critical voices in Iran. New listings also include lawmakers in […]
Council adds Wagner Group and RIA FAN to EU sanctions list
The Council decided to add the Wagner Group and RIA FAN to the list of those subject to EU restrictive measures for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. This decision completes the ‘Wagner package’ adopted on 25 February and underscores the international dimension and gravity of the group’s activities, […]
Council approves €1 billion in ammunition aid for Ukraine
On 13th April, The Council adopted an assistance measure worth €1 billion under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This measure will allow the EU to reimburse member states for ammunition donated to Ukraine from existing stocks or from the reprioritisation of existing orders during the period 9 February to 31 May 2023. […]
The Council and the European Parliament agree to increase the share of renewable energies in overall EU energy consumption to 42.5%.
The Council and the Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up that would allow to reach 45%. Each member state will contribute to this common target. This provisional political agreement will now need […]
European Council agrees on digitisation of Schengen visa
The EU member states’ ambassadors today agreed the Council’s negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitalise the visa procedure. The proposal introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa. It aims to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve the security […]
New European Agency to monitor illegal trafficking in new drugs
The Commission welcomes the political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on a stronger mandate which establishes a new EU Drugs Agency. The new Agency builds on the achievements of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Illicit drugs pose a complex security and health problem that affect millions of people […]
Agreement between the European Parliament and Council to install more recharging and refuelling stations across Europe
Following the provisional political agreement reached today by the Council and the European Parliament, more alternative fuel refuelling and recharging stations will be installed across Europe in the coming years, enabling the transport sector to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. What is the EU doing to promote the development of renewable energy? The objective of […]