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 […]
A&G Newsletter Q2 2023
1. Commission Revamps Agri-Food Marketing Standards for Consumer Needs and Sustainability The European Commission is proposing to revise marketing standards for various agri-food products including fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, jams, honey, poultry, and eggs to support informed consumer choices and prevent food waste. Key proposals include: Origin labelling: A mandatory requirement to label the country […]
A&G Newsletter Q1 2023
I. EU Busy as a Bee to Save Pollinators In an attempt to reverse the decline of pollinators by 2030, the European Commission (EC) presented ‘A New Deal on pollinators’. The initiative launched by late January consists of a newly proposed strategy that revises the 2018 EU Pollinators Initiative. The EC acknowledged the growing concern […]
A&G Newsletter Q4 2022
I. COMMISSION TAKES ACTION ON 11 MEMBER STATES CONCERNING SINGLE-USE PLASTICS Transition to a circular economy that replaces conventional business models and products with innovative and sustainable ones goes through a single-use plastics purge in the EU. Still, not all member countries have been keeping the same pace on transposing the Single-Use Plastic Directive into […]
A&G Newsletter Q3 2022
I. EU to Propose a Nature Restoration Law Biodiversity has been a topic that has recently been getting more attention within the EU sphere. After three decades since any major legislative efforts, the European Commission has now revealed plans to propose a new nature restoration law to work in conjunction with their goals on biodiversity, […]
A&G Newsletter Q2 2022
I. EU to Harmonize Certification of Organic Farming On March 31st, the new European Commission ‘Organic Action Plan’ was approved by the European Parliament for implementation. In this new legislation, the EU puts emphasis on the further development of the organic farming sector. The new plan builds on the achievements of the prior 2014-2020 action […]
A&G Newsletter Q1 2022
I. EU to strengthen regulation of crypto As the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies accelerates, the European Union is pushing for stronger regulation on the emerging asset class, citing concerns over money laundering and lack of oversight on the sector. Currently, the EU remains one of the laxer regulators of cryptocurrencies, aiding in the adoption and […]