EU to Tackle Plastic Use
The European Commission will move forward with the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan to fundamentally tackle the use of plastics and prevent completely the creation of plastic waste. The major action, expected to materialize in 2017, will most likely address the full life cycle of plastics. The EU is a global leader in […]
EU State Aid Rules Chasing US Companies
Benjamin Franklin is thought to have said ‘nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes’. But recent state aid investigations by the European Commission have introduced uncertainty on corporate taxation. Fighting tax avoidance is a key priority for the EU. Yet, the European Commission’s approach has faced criticism for going after big companies […]
How the Digital Single Market Could Affect business
The Digital Single Market is in the European Commission’s work programme for 2017. The European Commission has carried out four regulatory evaluations in 2016. Now, they will all be followed-up by legislative reviews in 2017. The major areas concerned are VAT for cross-border e-commerce, AV media services and their flexibility, telecoms regulatory framework and cross-border […]
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 […]