Fri. Oct 11th, 2024

LEGAL AFFAIRS

LATEST NEWS

regulation, gdpr, data

September infringement package – main decisions

The EU Commission is adopting a package of infringement decisions due to the absence of communication by Member States on measures transposing EU directives into national law. Member States concerned have two months to reply to the Commission’s “letters of formal notice” and complete their transposition. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to issue a “reasoned opinion” as next legal step to enforce EU laws.

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26/09/2024

Russia: G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Statement

“We will continue our efforts to ensure that Russia pays for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. We will also explore all possible avenues to aid Ukraine, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law. We welcome the initial effort by the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force to account for Russia’s sovereign assets immobilized and held in REPO member jurisdictions which is at this stage estimated at

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12/10/2023

EU Commission progresses towards enhanced code for tackling online hate speech

Together with the signatories of the Code of Conduct, national authorities and civil society organisations, the Commission discussed the features of an upcoming enhanced code, the ‘Code of Conduct+’, in light of the provisions of the Digital Services Act. The enhanced Code aims to develop as a tool, which is not only reactive and focused on the take down of content, but also prompting online platforms to enhance prevention and

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12/10/2023

Mergers: EU Commission orders Illumina to unwind GRAIL acquisition

On 6 September 2022, the Commission prohibited the acquisition of GRAIL by Illumina over concerns that the merger would have stifled innovation and reduced choice in the emerging market for blood-based early cancer detection tests. Illumina and GRAIL unlawfully completed the merger during the Commission’s in-depth investigation, in breach of EU merger control rules. In July 2023, the Commission fined both companies for implementing their proposed merger before approval by

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12/10/2023

EU Parliament: Surrogacy only criminalised in the context of trafficking under new proposals

The proposal is very clear and legally sound – this is not about criminalising surrogacy but about including surrogacy in the context of trafficking, where reproductive exploitation has taken place. We are therefore solely talking about victims of this crime. Also, there are many other issues the proposal tackles, and numerous measures to assist, support and protect victims are at stake.

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12/10/2023

EU Court of Justice Judgment in Case C-286/22 – KBC Verzekeringen

Since the concept of a ‘vehicle’ in the relevant Belgian legislation corresponds to that in an EU Directive relating to civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, the Belgian Court of Cassation decided to refer a question to the Court of Justice concerning the interpretation of that concept. In its judgment delivered today, the Court of Justice notes, first of all, that the directive does not indicate

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12/10/2023

EU Commission sets out tools to manage demographic change in the EU

The Commission has today adopted a Communication presenting a set of policy tools available to Member States for managing demographic change and its impacts on the EU’s society and economy, including its global competitiveness. The Communication outlines the wide range of tools (including regulatory instruments, policy frameworks and funding) available to Member States to do so. These tools can be effectively combined with national and regional policies to empower and

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11/10/2023

EU approves €400m aid to support Bulgargaz amid Russia’s War

The European Commission has approved an around €400 million (BGN 800 million) Bulgarian measure to support the public supplier of natural gas in Bulgaria, Bulgargaz EAD, in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), recognising that

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10/10/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears acquisition of Zenobe Energy Limited 

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Zenobe Energy Limited by Infracapital Greenfield Partners II (Sterling) SCSp (‘Infracapital’), both of the UK, and KKR & Co. Inc. of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the market for fleet electrification, including the provision of charging infrastructure, battery replacement and software solutions.

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10/10/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears acquisition of Oticon Medical by Cochlear

The Commission reviewed the transaction following a referral request by 13 countries of the European Economic Area pursuant to Article 22(1) of the EU Merger Regulation. This provision allows Member States to request the Commission to examine a merger that does not have an EU dimension but affects trade within the single market and threatens to significantly affect competition within the territory of the Member States making the request.

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10/10/2023

EU Commission gets €724m RRF payment request from Bulgaria

The payment request also includes a series of reforms aiming to enhance preschool, school, and higher education as well as lifelong learning, promote e-health, support the decarbonisation of the energy sector by boosting the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, and support sustainable urban transport. Further reforms relate to ensuring an accessible, effective, and predictable justice system and fighting corruption.

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09/10/2023

EU Commission welcomes ‘Fit for 55’ legislation for 2030 goals

The Commission welcomes today’s adoption of two final pillars of its ‘Fit for 55′ legislative package for delivering the EU’s 2030 climate targets. Ahead of the crucial COP28 UN Climate Conference, and next year’s European elections, this complete package of legislation shows that Europe is delivering on its promises made to citizens and international partners to lead the way on climate action and shape the green transition for the benefit

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09/10/2023

EU approves €100m Italian scheme for electrolyser production

The European Commission has approved a €100 million Italian scheme to support the production of electrolysers to foster the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

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09/10/2023

EU extends chemical weapons restrictions for one more year

Currently, restrictive measures in place apply to 25 persons and 3 entities. Those targeted are subject to an asset freeze and EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Additionally, individuals are subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

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09/10/2023

Sweden adapts asylum rules to EU standards

Previous large-scale asylum immigration together with a lack of integration has contributed to Sweden now facing major challenges of growing exclusion. To break and reverse this trend, the Government is now implementing a paradigm shift in Swedish migration policy, with the aim of substantially reducing the number of people seeking asylum in Sweden and the number of residence permits granted. An inquiry will therefore review Swedish legislation in relation to

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09/10/2023

EU Council approves first Africa investment facilitation pact

On 9 October 2023, the Council adopted a decision on the signature of the sustainable investment facilitation agreement (SIFA) between the European Union and Angola. This agreement will make it easier to attract and expand investments while integrating environment and labour rights commitments in the EU-Angola relationship.

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09/10/2023

EU Council urges action on precarious work’s mental health impact

Mental health and work are closely interconnected. Mental health is an important issue for work ability and productivity, and, conversely, psychosocial risks at work can be detrimental to mental health. In particular, precarious work, including poorly paid and unprotected jobs, may lead to disorders such as anxiety and depression.

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09/10/2023

Renewable energy: EU Council adopts new rules

The Council today adopted the new Renewables Energy Directive to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up to allow the target of 45% to be achieved. Each member state will contribute to this common target.

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09/10/2023
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