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First green light to new bill on firms’ impact on human rights and environment

​On Tuesday, (19/03/2024), the Legal Affairs Committee approved a bill, agreed with EU governments, requiring firms to mitigate their negative impact on human rights and the environment. MEPs on the Legal Affairs Committee adopted with 20 votes for, 4 against and no abstentions new, so-called “due diligence” rules, obliging firms to alleviate the adverse impact their activities have on human rights and the environment, including...

New cyber resilience standards to protect all digital products in the EU from cyber threats.

Resilience Act: MEPs adopt plans to boost security of digital products. New technologies come with new risks, and the impact of cyber-attacks through digital products has increased dramatically in recent years. Consumers have fallen victim to security flaws linked to digital products such as baby monitors, robot-vacuum cleaners, Wi-Fi routers and alarm systems. For businesses, the importance of ensuring that digital products in the supply...

More action needed to tackle disinformation and enhance transparency of online platforms ...

04/03/2024 - As roughly half the world's population prepares to vote in elections, a new OECD report offers the first baseline assessment of how OECD countries are upgrading their governance measures to support an environment where reliable information can thrive, prioritising freedom of expression and human rights, and sets out a policy framework for countries to address the global challenge of disinformation. Facts not fakes:...

Commission fines Apple over €1.8 billion over abusive App store rules for music streaming providers

The European Commission has fined Apple over €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users (‘iOS users') through its App Store. In particular, the Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app...

EU adopts 13th package of individual and economic sanctions against Russia

​The Council adopted on 23 februari 2024 in view of the second year mark of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine - a thirteenth package of restrictive measures against Putin’s regime, those who are responsible for perpetuating his illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression and those who are significantly supporting it.​ Which measures are now included in this new package ?...

Greenwashing: how EU firms can validate their green claims ?

The Internal Market and Environment committees adopted on Wednesday their position on the rules on how firms can validate their environmental marketing claims.In a few words The so-called green claims directive complements the already-approved EU ban on greenwashing. It defines what kind of information companies have to provide to justify their environmental marketing claims in the future. It also creates a framework and deadlines for...

Deal on EU economic governance reform

​EU co-legislators on Saturday provisionally agreed a revamp of EU economic governance making it clearer, investment friendly, more tailored to each country’s situation, and more flexible. Esther De Lange (EPP,NL) said, “ A new economic governance framework was much needed. We have taken our responsibility by ensuring that the new fiscal rules are sound and credible, while also allowing room for necessary investments.” Margarida Marques...

AI Ethics: 8 global tech companies commit to apply to UNESCO’s Recommendation

Deal on strengthening consumers’ right to repair

Action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives

The Commission is adopting a package of infringement decisions due to the absence of communication by Member States of measures taken to transpose EU directives into national law. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to those Member States who have failed to notify national measures transposing directives, whose transposition deadline expired recently. This reflects a standard policy by the Commission...

Fundamental rights report finds threats to key freedoms, equality and dignity

> Key issues include media freedom, corruption, and individual liberties> EU needs to safeguard rights of women, children, LGBTIQ+, other vulnerable persons> Specific recommendations for Hungary, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain MEPs looked into the state of citizens’ rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023, identifying an array of concerns across the member states. The report on the state of fundamental rights in the...

Deal on a single rulebook against money laundering and terrorist financing

​On Thursday, MEPs finalised a deal with the Council on new measures to beef up an EU toolkit to fight money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions evasion.The deal needs to be formally adopted by Parliament and Council before it can come into force.in a few words> Uniform EU supervision and consistent application of rules and sanctions> Information on beneficial owners to be accessible> More powers...

Provisional deal to further cut fluorinated gases emissions, in line with EU and global climate goals.

Deal reached on reducing fluorinated gas emissions in the EU> Total phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons by 2050> Accelerate the move towards climate-friendly solutions> Fluorinated gases are used in appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioning, heat pumps, fire protection On Thursday, 16 january 2024, Parliament and Council reached a provisional deal to further cut fluorinated gases emissions, in line with EU and global climate goals. At Parliament’s request,...

EU personal data flows : 11 more third countries and territories admitted

Commission finds that EU personal data flows can continue with 11 third countries and territories. This 15 january. 2024, the European Commission successfully concluded its review of 11 existing adequacy decisions. These decisions had been adopted under the EU data protection legislation that preceded the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The adequacy decisions have laid the foundation for cooperation and convergence between the...

Calls for contributions on competition in virtual worlds and generative AI

The European Commission has launched on two calls for contributions on competition in virtual worlds and generative artificial intelligence (‘AI') and sent requests for information to several large digital players. All interested stakeholders are invited to share their experience and provide feedback on the level of competition in the context of virtual worlds and generative AI, and their insights on how competition law can help...

A combined work and residence permit in the European Union

The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached on 18 December between the European Parliament and the Council on the revised Single-Permit Directive. These updated rules set in place a single application procedure for a combined EU work and residence permit (a ‘single permit'). Background Annually, 2 to 3 million nationals from non-EU countries come to the EU legally, in contrast to more than...

Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act : a guidance document

The Commission adopted a guidance document, addressing frequently asked questions on the interpretation and implementation of the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act It will help the financial market participants concerned prepare their first mandatory reporting exercise in 2024. By further increasing the usability of the sustainable finance framework, it helps companies on their transition journey. There is no trade-off between competitiveness and sustainability: the financial sector,...