A&G Newsletter Q2 2024
1. Commission Unveils Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Digital Infrastructures The European Commission unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the innovation, security, and resilience of Europe’s digital infrastructures, which are crucial for the continent’s economic competitiveness. This initiative emphasizes the necessity for robust, secure, and extensive digital connectivity to facilitate emerging technologies such as telemedicine, automated […]
A&G Newsletter Q1 2024
1. Commission to Expose Hidden Foreign Influence Through ‘Defence of Democracy’ The EU seeks transparency when third countries lobby to influence its democratic processes. The European Commission introduced a Defence of Democracy package before the 2024 European elections, focusing on a law to boost transparency and accountability in foreign interest representations. It also offers two […]
A&G Newsletter Q4 2023
1. Commission Proposes Initiatives to Curb Microplastic Pollution from Plastic Pellets For the first time, the European Commission is proposing measures to combat microplastic pollution caused by unintentional plastic pellet releases. Annually, 52 to 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are inadvertently released into the environment, often due to mishandling across the supply chain. The new […]
A&G Newsletter Q3 2023
1. EU and Philippines to Revive Stalled Trade Negotiations The EU and the Philippines have declared their plan to investigate the revival of talks for a forward-looking, equitable, and environmentally conscious free trade agreement (FTA), placing sustainability as a central tenet. In the coming days, both entities will initiate a mutual ‘scoping process’ aimed at […]
EU opens public consultation for its upcoming Climate Law
In March, the Commission opened the public consultation for the European Climate Law which is the first major realization of the New Green Deal. As part of this process, the European Commission is seeking the views of stakeholders to design climate action and share information to develop these new policies. The consultation period will run […]
EU paves the way to a closer association with Africa
The European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs presented the basis for a new strategy with Africa on March 11. Several objectives are outlined in the Action Plan: establishing a partnership on green and digital transition, supporting the development of a legislative framework for trade and investment, defining partnerships in education and research, […]
EU’s Data Regulation
At the start of the year, the European Commission published a European strategy on data. The strategy covers data economy, data protection and standardized data sharing. It envisages also the creation of an EU Data Law in 2021. There will be strict rules that other countries might replicate in the future. In more detail, the […]
EU carbon border tax
The European Green Deal, proposed by President von der Leyen to be delivered in the initial 100 days in office, will include the first European Climate Law enshrining the 2050 climate-neutrality target into legislation. The Green Deal will include a more inclusive Emissions Trading System (ETS), as well as a Carbon Border Tax to mitigate […]
EU to enforce rules on online payments
The European Payments Service Directive II (PSD2), in force since January 2018, is currently stirring debate among Member States regarding the process of its implementation. The Directive is designed to harmonize and simplify money transfers inside the EU, decrease fraud in online payments, and inform consumers about the rights and obligations. The revised PSD2 extends […]
EU restrictions on electrical and electronic materials
European legislation restricting the use of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment was approved in 2003 and has since been reviewed in 2011 and 2017. The European Commission initiated in September a consultation to collect public and business’ opinions in order to assess the performance of the restriction of hazardous elements, the management […]