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 […]
Alber & Geiger Recognised as Top Lobbying Firm
After a record number of entries for 2017, the finalists for the EU Public Affairs Awards have finally been revealed. Building on the success of the previous year, the second round of the most prestigious lobbying event took place this November in Brussels. Once again, we have made an impact. Our team’s enthusiasm and dedication […]
EU to Tackle ‘Fake News’
Amidst increasing complaints, mainly from small and medium market players, the European Commission is launching a series of initiatives to promote fairness in platform to business relations. The initiative is part of a wider strategy to promote transparency and fairness in the Digital Single Market, including countering the recent scourge of fake news. Social media […]
EU to Approve Rules for Gas Pipelines
The EU has launched a final call to arms to complete the existing Gas Directive and clarify the EU energy principles by common rules for gas pipelines, which enter the internal gas market. The objective is to step up efforts to maintain viable alternative gas transit flows after failing to derail the Nord Stream 2 […]
EU to Tax Tech Giants
The European Commission is going ahead with plans for a fair taxation regime on digital giants, aiming to balance the low tax regimes that cost EU governments billions of Euros in foregone revenues. The objective of the initiative is to define a fair, efficient and growth friendly approach to the taxation of digital economy. The […]
EU Takes Aim at Food Retailers
The European Commission has put large supermarket and food retail business under its regulatory radar, in an attempt to rationalize the European food supply chain. The initiative, likely to make its debut as early as in 2018, will place producers and farmers under its aegis, in an attempt to bridle at the hypermarkets power by […]
EU to Advance with Bank Regulation
In 2018, the European Commission will introduce initiatives for the development of secondary markets for Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and the protection of secured creditors from borrowers’ default. This comes against the alarming accumulation of NPLs. The sheer volume of NPLs have overstretched the administrative capacities of the European systemic banks, contributing to inefficiencies, reduced management […]
EU to move ahead with aviation strategy
In 2015, the European Commission presented an ambitious Aviation Strategy for Europe. Several proposals are still under scrutiny in the EU’s legislative bodies. Others are placed on hold in the European Council. Recently, the Commission presented its Open and Connected Aviation Package, which aims at safeguarding EU airlines on the international market, protecting international air […]
EU to digitalize healthcare
The European Commission is adopting additional measures to promote digital innovations in healthcare. The recent midterm digital single market review calls for new health care legislation. The review was based on the 2014 European Commission communication to reach cost effective, as well as financially sustainable and resilient healthcare in the EU. The aim is to […]