European Union News - April 2008

The Official Journal of the European Union has published last 23 April 2008 the opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor (Peter HUSTINX) on the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Europe: steps towards a policy framework’ COM(2007) 96.

It has been approved by a Commission Decision of 25 March 2008 and it will apply until 31 December 2012. The ‘Platform on Electronic Data Retention for the Investigation, Detection and Prosecution of Serious Crime’, a group of 25  experts in matters relating to retention of personal data for law enforcement purposes in the electronic communications sector. The group is set up in order to submit by 15 September 2010 to the European Parliament and Council an evaluation of the application of the Directive and its impact on economic operators and consumers

The Official Journal of the European Union has published a Commission decision indication that they do not  oppose to a Joint Venture notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market.

The European Commission has published recently amendments to the European standard for train signaling and speed control – the European Train Control System (ETCS) - which guarantees a common standard that enables trains to cross national borders and enhances safety.

The Agency is currently working towards the modification of its mandate and an extension of its lifespan. Once this has been approved, the Agency will recruit over 50 new staff to various positions including those in project management, legal affairs, financing engineering, GIS systems, finance, IT and administration. Deadline for applications is 8 May 2008.

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) have done the formal adoption on 23 April 2008 of the European Qualifications Framework. The way is clear now for Member States to adopt this voluntary scheme that will promote lifelong learning and mobility by making it easier to understand and compare individuals' qualifications around Europe.

The JRC has informed last 23 April that it is opened the Impact Assessment tools website, IA TOOLS, to the public. This online platform provides policy actors and impact assessment practitioners throughout Europe with a repository of guidance, information and best practices for impact assessment of new policies and legislative measures.

The European Commision competition servicies authorisated State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development in the United Kigdom. The official text has been published in the OJ last 23 april 2008.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published the final position of the European Commision in relation to the case of concentration between Syniverse and BSG group by way of purchase of shares.

Parliament signed off the accounts of all the EU's institutions and agencies for the financial year 2006. However, it is also calling for the creation of a joint Parliament-Commission group to monitor the Commission's supervision of the structural funds and certain other matters.

The European Commission has Published in the OJ (Official Journal of the European Union) a call for proposals under the ‘Capacities’ work programme of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities. The European Commission (EC) wants young researchers and technicians.

The European Commission has presented to the European Parliament its regular report on the openness of the European market to imports from developing countries.