The European Commission has adopted the 2030 Consumer Agenda, a strategic plan for EU consumer policy for the next five years. With 450 million consumers in the single market, who contribute to over 51% of the EU’s GDP through household spending, consumers play an essential role in the engine room of our economy. Enhancing consumer trust, […]
European Commission fines Mondelēz, maker of Milka and Oreo, €337.5m for restrictions on cross-border trade
The European Commission has fined Mondelēz International, Inc. (Mondelēz) €337.5 million for hindering the cross-border trade of chocolate, biscuits and coffee products between Member States, in breach of EU competition rules. The Commission remains committed to bringing down unjustified barriers to ensure a better functioning of the Single Market. Territorial supply constraints by suppliers are a […]
European Commission proposes new rules to help companies get the most out of their patents
The Commission has proposed new rules to help companies, especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), make the most of their inventions, leverage new technologies and contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty. The proposed Regulations on standard essential patents, compulsory licensing of patents in crisis situations, and the revision of the legislation on supplementary […]
The Single Market, the key instrument for meeting current challenges, turns 30 years old
The Commission has published the 2023 Annual Single Market Report and the 2022 Single Market Scoreboard, as part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the Single Market. The reports confirm that the Single Market remains a key tool to address Europe’s current challenges and highlight the importance of continuously improving its functioning, as well as […]
European Single Market is turning 30
This year, the EU celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Single Market – one of the major achievements of European integration, and one of its key drivers. Established on 1 January 1993, the European Single Market allows goods, services, people and capital to move around the EU freely, making life easier for people and opening up new opportunities […]
SOTEU 2022: Single Market Emergency Instrument
Today, the Commission is presenting the new Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI). This crisis governance framework aims to preserve the free movement of goods, services and persons and the availability of essential goods and services in the event of future emergencies, to the benefit of citizens and businesses across the EU. While the Single Market […]
Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK
The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom for not complying with significant parts of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. Despite repeated calls on the UK government to implement the Protocol, it has failed to do so. This is a clear breach of international law. The aim of these infringement […]
Blockchain – the EESC calls for a strategy to make the EU a world leader
Blockchain technology is a mathematical structure for storing data in a way that limits corruption and fake data. Blockchain technology has the potential to transform society, but there is a need for legal clarity and certainty and therefore a common EU approach. This is the key message of an own-initiative opinion adopted by the European […]
Tax transparency: MEPs deplore Council’s lack of action on multinationals
MEPs urged EU countries to agree on draft rules making multinational companies publicly disclose their profit and tax paid in each country. In 2016 the European Commission produced a proposal on country-by-country reporting of tax-related information by large businesses, which needs to be approved by both Parliament and the Council before it can enter into […]