04/06/2010

Winners of European Enterprise Awards successful at creating small businesses in times of crisis.

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani awarded the Auvergne region's "Entrepreneurs in Residence" the Grand Jury’s Prize at the 2010 European Enterprise Awards ceremony. The high-level jury representing business, government and academia, selected the project of the Regional Development Agency for its impressive results in helping entrepreneurs to set up their residence and business in this volcanic landscape and creating over 200 businesses generating 600 jobs [Com3105010].

01/06/2010

OECD: Invest in innovation to boost growth.

Innovation is key to boosting economic growth, and governments should resist the urge to cut spending on activities that are 'essential for a country's future', the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has warned. [Cor280510] .

Research, industry and green power top ministers' agenda.

At a meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 26 May, European ministers gave their support to a proposal from the Spanish Council Presidency to give the European Research Area (ERA) a 'social dimension', specifying that science must be used to fight poverty and social exclusion. Ministers also tackled a range of key issues impacting the research, industry, internal market and digital agendas [Cor-270510].

24/05/2010

MEPs call for closer ties between universities and industry.

Links between business and the academic world need to be strengthened but higher education institutions must retain their autonomy and public support, says a resolution adopted on Thursday by the European Parliament [PE-200510].

19/05/2010

'Made in' labels could become compulsory for clothes.

Country of origin labels should become compulsory for clothes sold in Europe so that consumers are not misled by labels suggesting they were made in an EU Member State, said the European Parliament on Tuesday when it approved an update of the EU clothes labelling scheme [PE-180510].

Wives of self-employed should have similar maternity leave rights to employees.

EU Member States should grant standard social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity leave allowance, for self-employed women and for wives or life partners of self-employed workers, says Parliament in a binding proposal to update an EU directive [PE-180510].

18/05/2010

'Made in' labels could become compulsory for clothes .

Country of origin labels should become compulsory for clothes sold in Europe so that consumers are not misled by labels suggesting they were made in an EU Member State, said the European Parliament on Tuesday when it approved an update of the EU clothes labelling scheme. [PE-180510].

05/05/2010

Commission launches new service to help public purchasers go green.

The European Commission has launched a new service to deal with enquiries on Green Public Procurement (GPP). The GPP Helpdesk will answer questions related to the use of environmental criteria in tendering procedures. Every year European public authorities spend 17 percent of EU GDP – around €2,000 billion – on goods, services and works [AM-030510].

Commission launches 35 million euros call for projects that turn environmental challenges into business opportunities.

The European Commission this month launched a 35 million euros call for eco-innovation projects to be funded under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. Under the 2010 CIP Eco-innovation call for proposals, funds are available for new projects in the area of materials recycling, sustainable building products, the food and drink sector and green business practices [AM-030510.

Emissions trading: Commission accepts Polish national allocation plan for 2008-2012.

The European Commission has taken a decision on the new national allocation plan (NAP) submitted by Poland for distributing carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances for the 2008-2012 trading period of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). [AM030510].

03/05/2010

Fishing: Study finds 25 percent of fish on sale are mislabelled.

A quarter of fish labelled as cod or haddock in shops and supermarkets in Dublin, Ireland, were found to be entirely different species of fish, new research has revealed [COR-exp2010-04-26].

Europe PTW makers hope for better Q2 after weak Q1.

The devastating effects of the economic crisis on PTW registrations which started in the autumn of 2008 and caused the market to shrink by -25 percent, was followed by a particularly harsh European winter which is making recovery look still far [TR-290410].

29/04/2010

Italy: EIB finances new free-electron laser in Trieste..

The European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed a EUR 20m finance contract with Sincrotrone Trieste for the completion and launching of the new FERMIATElettra light source. The Bank was represented by Dario Scannapieco, EIB Vice-President responsible for operations in Italy, Malta and the western Balkans, and Sincrotrone Trieste by its Chairman Carlo Rizzuto and CEO Alfonso Franciosi [COM-290410]..

26/04/2010

EU Parliament must resist pressure to weaken Industrial Emissions Directive.

Medical and environmental groups are alarmed by possible reductions in public health and environmental protection standards within the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which is about to undergo a second reading in the European Parliament. They are concerned that ongoing discussions appear to be favouring short-sighted industry interests over public and environmental health [AM260410].

Antitrust: Vice President Almunia welcomes Visa Europe's proposal to cut interbank fees for debit cards.

European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia welcomes proposed commitments by Visa Europe to significantly cut its multilateral interchange fees (MIFs) for debit card payments. The MIF is a bank-to-bank fee collectively fixed by Visa Europe's member banks for card payments that is ultimately paid by consumers.[COM-260410] .

Global alliance to eliminate lead in paints.

Lead is a potent nerve poison, particularly in children whose growing bodies are highly susceptible. Exposure to excessive levels of lead in air, water, soil and food is harmful to the health and intellectual development of millions of children and adults, in almost all regions of the world.[AM-260410] .

23/04/2010

Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: European Commission welcomes release of negotiation documents.

he negotiation parties of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) published the documents of the 8th round of negotiations held in Wellington on April. The European Commission welcomes the decision to make the draft available to the public. This text shows that the overall objective of ACTA is to address large-scale infringements of intellectual property rights which have a significant economic impact. ACTA will by no means lead to a limitation of civil liberties or to 'harassment' of consumers.[FI-EUTAX-210410].

Forests: Worldwatch Institute, paper companies' assault.

According to the Worldwatch Institute forests are "under assault" from paper companies competing to respond to growing consumer demand for toilet tissue, the only paper product that cannot be recycled after use [AM-EU-190410].

Italy: EIB and UBI Banca provide EUR 250 million for SMEs.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 250 million finance contract with the UBI Banca group targeting small and medium-sized Italian businesses (SMEs). The transaction technically consists of subscription by the EIB of a covered bond issued by UBI [FI-BEI140410] .

Parliament insists its voice must be heard on EU economic and employment policy agenda.

The Conference of Presidents is calling on the European Council to postpone adopting the EU 2020 economic competitiveness strategy until the autumn, to give Parliament time properly to analyse the proposals. Parliament has the legal right to be consulted on the EU’s employment policy guidelines and so could delay adoption of the package if it is not satisfied with the contents [mail-eurparl230410].

15/04/2010

Crisis:Council of Ministers adopts European microfinance facility.

The Council adopted a decision establishing a EUR 100 million European microfinance facility for employment and social inclusion following a first-reading agreement with the European Parliament. [VA-Con140410].

Social protection of self-employed workers and assisting spouses.

The Council adopted its first-reading position on a draft directive aimed at improving the social protection of self-employed workers and of ''assisting spouses''. Germany, Hungary and the United Kingdom abstained [VA.Con-150410].

14/04/2010

Ten companies line up for the European Business Awards for the Environment 2010.

Ten European companies have been shortlisted for the European Business Awards for the Environment. The finalists represent companies from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Turkey and the UK. [AM-Envpol310310].

Ten companies line up for the European Business Awards for the Environment 2010.

Ten European companies have been shortlisted for the European Business Awards for the Environment. The finalists represent companies from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Turkey and the UK. [AM-Envpol310310].

A new strategic vision for the EU's Tourism Policy.

The European Tourism Stakeholders Conference, being held in Madrid today and tomorrow, will explore ways and means to strengthen the visibility of tourism at a European level and to verify how the actions to promote a competitive EU tourism industry and a sustainable growth of European tourism can be consolidated in an updated EU tourism policy framework, to be implemented in close cooperation with the national and regional authorities and the EU private tourism stakeholders [COM-140410].

13/04/2010

Commission launches handbook on how to assess the environmental impact of products.

European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik this month launched an authoritative guide for policy-makers and business on how to assess the environmental impact of products. The guidance is part of the Commission's drive to promote more sustainable consumption and production patterns and reduce Europe's environmental footprint.[AM-Eupolicybrief-31032010].

Crisis: Commission proposes new economic strategy in Europe.

The European Commission has proposed a new economic strategy to lift Europe out of recession and prepare the EU economy for the next decade. The Europe 2020 strategy outlines priorities in three areas for action: smart growth, sustainable growth and inclusive growth. Five targets are set which define where the EU should be by 2020 and against which progress can be tracked[AM-Eupolicybrief-31032010].

REACH: New Commission backs fast implementation.

European Commission Vice President Tajani and Environment Commissioner Potocnik are taking action to speed registration of high-volume chemicals before the REACH 30 November deadline through implementation of solutions to practical problems facing industry, particularly SMEs[AM-ETAP120410].

Waste: Cutting the environmental impact of glass recycling.

Italian company SASIL, lead partner in the MEIGLASS Life Project, has developed an innovative process to minimise the environmental impact of glass recycling.[AM-ETAP120410].

Waste: Cutting the environmental impact of glass recycling.

Italian company SASIL, lead partner in the MEIGLASS Life Project, has developed an innovative process to minimise the environmental impact of glass recycling.[AM-ETAP120410].

09/04/2010

Enzyme in white blood cells can break down carbon nanotubes.

An EU-funded study of carbon nanotubes by scientists in Ireland, Sweden and the US has shown that these extraordinarily strong molecules can be broken down into carbon and water by an enzyme found in white blood cells. The discovery, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, offers hope that this new material may be exploited safely in medicine and industry. [Cordis2010-04-07].

Enterprise: Maintaining Europe's competitive edge in eco-industry.

A Commission study on the competitiveness of European eco-industry in 2009 analysed the health of the sector and recommended a series of policy actions to maintain global leadership.[AM-ETAP-310310].

16/03/2010

An "internal market test" needed for any new EU legislation, say MEPs.

There is no conflict between consumer rights and an economically efficient single market: they reinforce each other. This is the key message of three resolutions approved by Parliament on Tuesday that look at EU law on consumer protection, the internal market and the SOLVIT system for settling consumer disputes [PE-09-03-2010 ].

08/03/2010

Ministers mull measures to reduce food price volatility.

Most EU farm ministers agree that new measures are needed to reduce price volatility of agricultural commodities. But the European Commission argues that any new initiative should only be used as a safety net and should not undermine efforts undertaken to enhance competitiveness.[TR-Eu250210].

SME group wants EU regional funding scheme 'redesigned' .

An organisation representing small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Europe wants a rethink of EU funding for regional projects to make them more accessible to small firms [TR-EU250210].

EU mulls extending 'Erasmus for Entrepreneurs' .

The EU programme Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme has been extended for a second year and could soon become a permanent fixture [TR-EU-250210] .

24/02/2010

ICT firms pledge to measure their carbon footprint.

Leading associations in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) have teamed up to measure the sector's energy consumption and coordinate action on deploying technologies that contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals.[TR-EU2402].

16/02/2010

Euro instability adds to business credit woes.

As the threat of sovereign debt default looms over Greece, the turmoil engulfing the euro zone is exacerbating the ongoing credit crunch for companies, according to BusinessEurope, a Brussels-based EU industry federation [TR-EU160209].

17/01/2010

Environment: Keeping the EU eco-competitive .

A new EC-commissioned study makes ten key policy recommendations for improving Europe's competitive position within the eco-industries. As well as harmonising regulation and standards across Europe, the report recommends providing funding and skills development schemes specifically for the sector [AM-140109].