Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Photomath by Google

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved unconditionally, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Photomath, Inc. (‘Photomath’) by Google LLC (‘Google’). The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area (‘EEA’). Google is a technology company […]

Recovery and resilience plans: Commission must tighten checks and oversight

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Budgetary Control Committee recommended signing off the Commission’s budget, while voicing concerns on the limited options to check the use of recovery funding. By 19 votes in favour to six against, the Budgetary Control Committee recommended on Wednesday that Parliament grants discharge to […]

Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the energy drinks sector

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 20 March 2023, the European Commission has started unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the energy drinks sector in various Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected company may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels […]

State aid: Commission approves amendment to Italian guarantee scheme, including up to €3 billion budget increase, in context of Russia’s war against Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an  amendment to an existing Italian guarantee scheme, including an up to €3 billion budget increase, for the reinsurance of natural gas and electricity trade credit risk in the context of Russia’s war against […]

Commission launches €7.5 million calls to support the integration of Ukrainian SMEs in the Single Market

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is launching two calls for proposals under the joint title “ReadyForEU”, with a total budget of €7.5 million. The two calls aim at helping Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses to benefit from the Single Market. The calls are funded under the Single […]

Commission proposes to renew trade benefits for Ukraine for a year

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has proposed today to renew the suspension of import duties, quotas and trade defence measures on Ukrainian exports to the European Union – known as the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) – for another year. This is a continuation of the EU’s unwavering […]

Commission strengthens cybersecurity and suspends the use of TikTok on its corporate devices

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. To increase its cybersecurity, the Commission’s Corporate Management Board has decided to suspend the use of the TikTok application on its corporate devices and on personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device service. This measure aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats […]

European Citizens’ Initiative: Commission decides to register a new initiative calling for asylum and migration reforms

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission decided to register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Ensuring a dignified reception of migrants in Europe’. The organisers of the initiative call on the Commission to develop a new system for the voluntary distribution of asylum seekers throughout the EU, […]

Commission presents EU-New Zealand trade agreement for ratification

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU-New Zealand trade agreement has today taken a big step towards ratification, with the Commission sending it to Council for signature. Sending the draft decisions to the Council on the signature and conclusion of the agreement is a major step: once the Council […]

Commission sets out rules for renewable hydrogen

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission has proposed detailed rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen in the EU, with the adoption of two Delegated Acts required under the Renewable Energy Directive. These Acts are part of a broad EU regulatory framework for hydrogen which includes […]

Non-transposition of EU legislation: Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. 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 […]

Terrorist content online: Commission takes action to protect people from the risk of online radicalisation and recruitment by extremists

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has decided today to send letters of formal notice to 22 Member States – Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia,  Finland and Sweden for failing to comply with […]

Electricity Market Design: Commission launches consultation on reform to support a clean and affordable energy transition

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is launching a public consultation on the reform of the European Union’s electricity market design to better protect consumers from excessive price volatility, support their access to secure energy from clean sources, and make the market more resilient. The current […]

Commission disburses first €3 billion to Ukraine of the up to €18 billion Macro-financial Assistance+ package

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today disbursed a first instalment of €3 billion of the up to €18 billion Macro-financial Assistance+ (MFA+) package for Ukraine. This follows the swift adoption and entry into force of the MFA+ Regulation mid-December 2022, less than two months following the […]

European Citizens’ Initiative: Commission decides to register a new initiative on safeguarding fundamental rights at the EU’s borders

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission decided to register a European citizens’ initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Article 4: Stop torture and inhuman treatment at Europe’s borders’. The Initiative calls for a framework ensuring compliance with the prohibition of violence and inhuman and degrading treatments enshrined in Article 4 […]

Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of VMware by Broadcom

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of VMware by Broadcom. The Commission is particularly concerned that the transaction would allow Broadcom to restrict competition in the market for certain hardware components which […]

EU-UK relations: Commission extends arrangements for veterinary medicines to 2025

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today adopted a notice which extends to 31 December 2025 the current arrangements for the movement of veterinary medicines from Great Britain to Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Northern Ireland. This will ensure the continuity of supplies of veterinary medicinal products, […]

Trafficking in human beings: Commission proposes stronger rules to fight the evolving crime

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission proposed to strengthen the rules that prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. Every year over 7000 people become victims of human trafficking in the EU. That figure can be expected to be much higher as many victims remain undetected. The […]

Fair Taxation: Commission welcomes agreement on minimum taxation of multinationals

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes the unanimous agreement announced last night by the Czech Presidency of the EU Council on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive ensuring a minimum effective tax rate for large multinational groups. With this historic agreement, the EU’s pledge to be among […]

Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Deutsche Bank and Rabobank over Euro-denominated bonds trading cartel case

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has informed Deutsche Bank and Rabobankof its preliminary view that they breached EU antitrust rules by colluding to distort competition when trading Euro-denominated Sovereign, SSA (Supra-Sovereign, Foreign Sovereign, Sub-Sovereign/Agency), Covered and Government Guaranteed bonds. The Commission has concerns that between 2005 […]

Economic policy coordination: Commission sets out guidance to help tackle the energy crisis and make Europe greener and more digital

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission has launched the 2023 European Semester cycle of economic policy coordination. The package draws upon the Autumn 2022 Economic Forecast which showed that after a strong first half of the year, the EU economy has now entered a much more challenging […]

Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of eTraveli by Booking

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by Booking Holdings (‘Booking’) of Flugo Group Holdings AB, that operates under the trading name ‘eTraveli’. The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition would allow […]

Commission proposes stable and predictable support package for Ukraine for 2023 of up to €18 billion

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Following the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022, the Commission has today proposed an unprecedented support package for Ukraine of up to €18 billion for 2023. This will come in the form of highly concessional loans, disbursed in regular instalments as of 2023. […]

Commission acts to promote transparency in the short-term rental sector to the benefit of all players

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation to enhance transparency in the field of short-term accommodation rentals and help public authorities ensure their balanced development as part of a sustainable tourism sector. While short-term accommodation bookings offer benefits for hosts and tourists, […]

Payments: Commission proposes to accelerate the rollout of instant payments in euro

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today adopted a legislative proposal to make instant payments in euro, available to all citizens and businesses holding a bank account in the EU and in EEA countries. The proposal aims to ensure that instant payments in euro are affordable, secure, […]

Commission disburses further €2 billion in exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today disbursed a first instalment of €2 billion under the €5 billion exceptional macro-financial assistance (MFA) operation for Ukraine. This is part of an MFA package of up to €9 billion, announced in the Commission’s 18 May Communication on Ukraine Relief […]

Commission steps up action to tackle disinformation and promote digital literacy among young people

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission published Guidelines for teachers and educators in primary and secondary schools, on how to address disinformation and promote digital literacy in their classrooms. The guidelines provide practical support for teachers and educators and include definitions of technical concepts, class-exercises and how […]

Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Hydro’s proposed acquisition of Alumetal

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Alumetal by Norsk Hydro under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition in the production and supply of aluminium foundry alloys and […]

Protection of EU budget: MEPs warn Commission to “not compromise” with Hungary

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament warned the Commission against falling short of protecting the EU’s financial interests in Hungary. “This is the first time the rule of law mechanism is being put into motion and it requires member states to treat it […]

EU budget: Commission proposes measures to the Council under the conditionality regulation

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today proposed budget protection measures to the Council under the conditionality regulation. This is to ensure the protection of the EU budget and the financial interests of the EU against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in […]

International Democracy Day: Commission launches Youth Participation Cohort to promote democracy worldwide

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Marking the International Day of Democracy and the European Year of Youth, the European Commission launched today the Youth Political and Civic Engagement Cohort to support young people in promoting democracy locally and globally. The European Commission is one of the co-leaders of the […]

Commission moves to ban products made with forced labour on the EU market

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today proposed to prohibit products made with forced labour on the EU market. The proposal covers all products, namely those made in the EU for domestic consumption and exports, and imported goods, without targeting specific companies or industries. This comprehensive approach […]

Energy prices: Commission proposes emergency market intervention to reduce bills for Europeans

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission is proposing an emergency intervention in Europe’s energy markets to tackle recent dramatic price rises. The EU is confronted with the effects of a severe mismatch between energy demand and supply, due largely to the continued weaponisation by Russia of its energy […]