EU Retaliates by Targeting US goods
The European Union has picked up President Donald Trump’s tariffs challenge and is considering responding with trade countermeasures. The WTO rules afford its members the possibility to impose temporary levies as safeguard. At the same time, it allows its members to retaliate proportionately in case the new trade restrictions are not adequately compensated within 90 […]
EU Towards New Rules on Air-Carriers
All stakeholders and citizens with an interest in aviation are called to contribute to the recently commenced consultations that will culminate in the reform of the 2008 Regulation on air services. The revised Regulation is aimed on ensuring fair competition among EU air carriers and on protecting workers and consumers from unfair commercial practices by […]
EU Eyeing New Restriction on Plastics
Starting from January 2018, China notified the WTO that it will ban the importing of 24 categories of waste, including plastics and mixed papers, on grounds of environmental and public health protection. The domino effect of the world’s biggest waste processor has already affected China’s biggest client, the European Union, which used to ship approximately […]
More EU Burdens on Household Devices
On February 2018, the European Commission has invited all interested parties to submit their views on the energy efficiency and eco-labelling of a series of commonly used electric and electronic devices. The European Commission, welcomes the views of stakeholders and citizens alike on the eco-design of refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, household lamps, televisions and computers. […]
Germany Bans Diesel Cars
Banning diesel cars from German cities is a legitimate tool to improve air quality and protect public health according to Germany’s Federal Administrative Court. Precisely how many vehicles might be affected by the ban remains unclear, since diesel technology has long been the locomotive of the global automotive industry. Debate on the excessive amount of […]
EU Declares War on Piracy
In January 2018, the European Commission signaled the beginning of public consultations aiming on mapping out markets, which thrive by the abuse of intellectual property rights. The initiative is a first step in a series of escalating responses to a form of organised fraud amounting to a 5% of the total imports to the EU […]