Stories - February 2012

Consultation launches on tackling double non-taxation

29/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The Commission is seeking examples of cross-border companies that escape taxes by exploiting mismatches between national tax systems. Anonymous responses will be accepted. The deadline is 30 May.

Innovation partnerships on raw materials and agriculture launched

29/02/2012  -  Science and technology

The public-private partnerships aim to improve sustainable agriculture and access to raw materials. A plan for an active ageing innovation partnership, launched as a pilot in 2011, is also endorsed.

Regulation adopted on euro credit transfers and direct debits

28/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

It includes common rules and standards for the single euro payments area (SEPA). It also sets 1 February 2014 as the migration deadline for credit transfers and for most direct debit requirements.

E-communications single market could boost EU’s GDP

28/02/2012  -  Science and technology

A completed internal market for electronic communications could boost the EU’s gross domestic product by up to €110bn a year, says study. It also suggests measures to tackle the remaining obstacles.

Operation Barrel seizes 1.2 million smuggled cigarettes

27/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The cigarettes were found on freight trains on the EU Eastern border. Twenty-four member countries and four neighboring countries participated in this first joint customs operation targeting rail traffic.

Syria: Stepping up the pressure

27/02/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs

Against the backdrop of the Syrian regime's continued use of violence against civilians, Foreign Affairs ministers decided to ratchet up the pressure on the Syrian regime by reinforcing the restrictive measures already in place.

Dismantling trade barriers – work still to be done says report

27/02/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs

The report updates progress in negotiating the removal of protectionist measures by six partners: China, India, Japan, Mercosur, Russia and the US. It identifies 6 new priorities for EU negotiators.

Interim forecast: mild recession with signs of stabilisation

23/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The EU economy is projected to stagnate in 2012, while the euro area is set to enter into a mild recession. Modest growth is predicted to return in the second half of the year.

Short selling: more transparency and stricter rules

21/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council adopted new rules for short selling and certain aspects of credit default swaps.

Debate launches on future of EU company law

20/02/2012  -  Business

The online public consultation is seeking views on whether today’s needs are still met by the existing rules and how the rules could be improved or updated. The deadline for comments is 14 May 2012.

EU combines its environmental impact assessment laws

17/02/2012  -  Environment, consumers and health

The aim is to help EU countries and developers evaluate the environmental impacts of construction projects more easily. No changes have been made to the existing law, but it is currently under review.

EU sets out plans for pension system reform

16/02/2012  -  Employment and social rights

The Commission white paper proposes improving opportunities for older workers, developing private retirement schemes and introducing measures to protect and improve current pension schemes.

Eurobonds and shorter-term solutions needed for Eurozone stability

16/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

Eurobonds will be a source of stability for the Eurozone in the medium term, but only when its remaining design issues are resolved, said Parliament in a resolution.

• Remarks by President Herman Van Rompuy following the European Council

Parliament saves food programme for the EU's most deprived citizens

16/02/2012  -  Agriculture, fisheries and food

The "Food for the needy" programme will continue to supply food to the EU's most deprived citizens for two more years, thanks to a rescue plan agreed with the Council and approved in plenary session.

Improving the energy performance of buildings

15/02/2012  -  Energy and natural resources

The Commission launches a public consultation on how to improve financial support for energy efficiency measures for buildings. The deadline is 18 May 2012.

• Statement by President Barroso following the European Council

Faster, cheaper and safer cross-border payments

14/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

MEPs approve proposals for a single European payments area that aim to ensure banks compete fairly, eliminate hidden national charges and reduce the cost of EU cross-border bank transfers.

Commission publishes first report on EU’s alert mechanism

14/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The report identifies 12 EU countries whose macroeconomic situation needs further study. Subsequent in-depth reviews will assess whether or not harmful economic imbalances exist.

Commission presents plans for sustainable bioeconomy

13/02/2012  -  Science and technology

The strategy aims to shift the EU towards a greater use of renewable bio-resources. The goal is a more innovative and low emissions economy.

• European Council website

New classification and labelling inventory for hazardous substances

13/02/2012  -  Business

Published by the European Chemicals Agency, the inventory will provide easy access to information on the hazardousness of a given chemical making it easier to correctly classify and label substances.

• Main results of the European Council

Greek debt: negotiations continue

10/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

Euro area finance ministers discussed the conditions that need to be met in order to agree on the new support programme for Greece, which includes EUR 130bn of official financing.

Council adopts rules restricting phosphates in detergents

10/02/2012  -  Environment, consumers and health

From 30 June 2013, phosphorus in laundry detergents will be limited to 0.5 grams per washing process. The limit for dishwasher detergents will be 0.3 grams from 1 January 2017. The aim is to improve water quality.

Education and training: emphasis on employability

10/02/2012  -  Culture, education and youth

How can education and training support the EU's strategy to promote growth and jobs, and how, in particular, can they contribute to reducing youth unemployment?

European Foundation Statute to support causes across the EU

08/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The proposal foresees a statute to reduce costs and simplify cross-border activities for national public benefit purpose foundations through a single European legal form, recognised across the bloc.

Innovative Europe – a health check

07/02/2012  -  Science and technology

EU makes progress, but growth slowing. This trend highlights the need to increase efforts if Europe’s economy is to maintain global competitiveness.

European Stability Mechanism treaty signed

03/02/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition

The new treaty to create a European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was signed on 2 February by the eurozone countries' ambassadors in Brussels.

An improved treaty but more needed on growth

02/02/2012  -  Institutional affairs

The newly-agreed governance treaty was largely unnecessary to emerge from the crisis. It must be made consistent with the economic governance "six pack", and backed by immediate measures to address the Eurozone's short-term constraints, said Parliament in a resolution.

MEPs veto new food labelling rules

02/02/2012  -  Environment, consumers and health

The Parliament believes the Commission’s proposal could confuse or mislead consumers. It would have allowed new “percentage less” claims on sugar, salt and fat content.

Funds have helped Croatia prepare for joining EU says auditor

01/02/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs

The Court of Auditors finds that pre-accession funding has helped the country prepare for managing future EU funds. Its recommendations include stronger anti-corruption measures.  |PHOTOS 1|

How can we produce and consume more sustainably?

01/02/2012  -  Environment, consumers and health

The Commission is revising the EU’s consumption and production policies. A consultation will run until 3 April on four key action areas, including product design and environmental performance.