The Commission proposes to revise the European Works Councils (EWCs) Directive to further improve social dialogue in the EU. EWCs are information and consultation bodies that ensure that employees are involved in decisions related to transnational issues. They concern companies with more than 1,000 employees operating in at least two EU or European Economic Area […]
Commission launches AI innovation package to support Artificial Intelligence startups and SMEs
The Commission has launched a package of measures to support European startups and SMEs in the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) that respects EU values and rules. This follows the political agreement reached in December 2023 on the EU AI Act – the world’s first comprehensive law on Artificial Intelligence – which will support the […]
Battery-only electric cars continued to increase in 2022
In 2022, the number of battery-only electric passenger cars in the EU countries almost reached 3.0 million, which is a +55% increase compared with 2021 (1.9 million). The highest annual rate of increase in battery-only electric passenger cars in the period 2013-2022 was noted between 2019 and 2020 (+85%), followed by the increase in 2021 […]
Drinking water to become safer thanks to new EU-wide hygiene standards for materials and products in contact with water
The Commission adopted new minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water. They will apply as of 31 December 2026 to materials and products used in new installations, or when older installations are renovated or repaired. These standards will prevent microbial growth and reduce the risk of harmful substances […]
EU member states’ representatives confirm agreement on European media freedom act
Member states’ EU ambassadors endorsed the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2023 between the Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators on a new law to establish a common framework for media services in the EU internal market and to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) […]
Israel-Hamas war: MEPs call for a permanent ceasefire under two conditions
MEPs demand that all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and the terrorist organisation Hamas is dismantled. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs express their deepest sorrow over the innocent victims on both sides. They call for a permanent ceasefire and to restart efforts towards a political solution provided that all hostages are immediately […]
Deal on new stricter anti money laundering rules
The Council and Parliament found a provisional agreement on parts of the anti-money laundering package that aims to protect EU citizens and the EU’s financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing. With the new package, all rules applying to the private sector will be transferred to a new regulation, while the directive will deal […]
EU Ministers take forward work on 2024 European Semester
The Belgian Presidency presented its work programme for the first semester of the year in the field of economic and financial affairs. The Presidency will focus on finalising the Union’s economic governance review, on continued financial support to Ukraine, and on legislation governing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. Moreover, the Presidency will work on […]
Stopping greenwashing: how the EU regulates green claims
The EU aims to put an end to greenwashing, when companies claim to be greener than they are, and provide more information to consumers on the durability of products they buy. In order to better protect consumers’ rights, promote environmentally-friendly decisions and create a circular economy that reuses and recycles materials, the European Parliament is […]