Big Changes in the Road Transport Sector
The European Commission recently announced the European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), focusing on smart cars. This next step combines the goals of the digital single market and clean transport. Different sectors of the industry such as internet service providers, car manufacturers and communication services would have to take actions until 2019, which […]
Boom of New Rules in the EU Single Market
The Single Market will be strengthened with a set of new rules 2017. Several existing legislations will undergo revision across different fields. Major changes are expected in customs and taxation. More concretely, the European Commission will revise the structure of excise duties applied to alcohol. Also, it is expected that the new structure will extend […]
U.S. corporate lobbying in Brussels after Brexit
Britain’s decision to leave the EU provides opportunities and challenges for U.S. business. What will determine success or failure depends on how American companies react to Brexit. Change is needed immediately on two fronts. First, the extent that they rely on lobbying. Second, the manner how they conduct lobbying in Europe to shape EU policies. […]
EU to modernize trade provisions with Chile
Chile was the first Latin American country to sign an Association Agreement with the EU. The Association Agreement was signed back in 2002 and it includes, inter alia, political cooperation and several trade provisions. However, several developments have taken place since then both in the EU and Chile. The EU has signed several agreements with […]
Risk of EU-wide food labelling threatens food industry
The French government has recently received clearance from the EU Commission to go ahead with plans to introduce a decree demanding companies to label the origin of diary and meat products. The decree is set to enter into force on January 1, 2017. As of December 2014, the EU has a revised food information regulation […]
EU approval of GMO cultivation
The EU Commission, via the Standing Committee, met for the first time recently for an exchange of views with Member States over the cultivation authorization in the EU of two new GMOs. Other GMOs will be discussed shortly as the Committee plans to hold other meetings during 2016. Member States’ stance on GMOs varies. Currently, […]
EP condemns Bahrain over human rights
The European Parliament has recently – via a widely supported resolution – condemned the abuses carried out by the Bahraini authorities. The EU legislative has called on the Bahrain government to end the repression against civil society and opposition. In the same resolution, European lawmakers expressed concern over the recent travel ban imposed by the […]
EU Commission to support driverless cars between Member States
For years Member States have been divided over driverless car technology. This was visible also earlier this year when Member States’ transport ministers decided to sign a joint declaration over driverless vehicles. Affected industry, in particular car manufacturers and telecom operators, have been trying to persuade the EU Commission to back driverless car technology. Without […]
EU set to lower anti-dumping duties on Chinese products
China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001. Now, 15-years following the Chinese accession in the WTO, the transposition periods – allowing differential treatment of products originating from China – are going to expire. So far, the transposition period gave the EU the right to impose higher anti-dumping duties on Chinese products compared […]
EU to limit access to firearms
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris last year, the European Commission embarked on revising the EU directive regulating the ownership of firearms by individuals such as sport shooters, hunters and collectors. The proposal, described as essential and much needed, is set to improve clarity for the whole ‘legal firearms’ system. At the same time, if […]