European Union News - September 2009

ICANN, the body primarily responsible for managing internet domain names, will become more open and accountable to billions of internet users worldwide. As of 30 September, ICANN, the US-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, will no longer be subject to the unilateral review by the US Department of Commerce, but by independent review panels appointed by ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and ICANN itself with the involvement of governments around the world.

The European Commission has today adopted a comprehensive Action Plan on Urban Mobility. The Action Plan proposes twenty concrete Commission takes action to make urban travel greener, better organised and more user-friendly

Parliament has officially formed its conciliation delegation for the telecoms package, following which the 27 MEPs on the delegation nominated a three-member team to open negotiations with the Council Presidency on Tuesday. The team consists of EP Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP, Spain), Industry Committee Chair Herbert Reul (EPP, Germany) and rapporteur Catherine Trautmann (S-D, France).

This afternoon will meet at its 456th plenary session of the EESC representatives of the Swedish Presidency and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso with various organizations in employment and vocational training, to discuss the crisis.

Among the 100 projects submitted, the jury of this first design competition of Economic and Social Committee has chosen the "Bee House" (House of bees) Irish James Ennis, as the winner of the first European Award for a Sustainable Present. The project will be awarded with 10,000 euros and will be produced in the EU according to sustainability criteria and creativity.

The European Commission has adopted a new exemption regulation that will enter into force on 25 April 2010. It renewes for 5 more years the existing exemptions from the ban on restrictive business practices for shipping consortia liner. This exemption allows for cooperation between companies so that they can provide a joint service in freight.

A total of € 214.6 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of non-compliance with EU rules or inadequate control procedures on agricultural expenditure.

After a year of work, the European Foresight Expert Group 'The World in 2025' has now presented their findings at conference in Brussels on 24 September. Meeting the challenges of the near future, they write in a new report, may mean moving towards a new production and consumption model, new rural-urban dynamics, and a new gender and intergenerational balance.

The European Commission recently adopted a Communication on a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer to support EU countries in their efforts to tackle the disease. The partnership covers the period 2009-2013 and provides a framework for sharing information as well as capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control. It aims to engage all relevant stakeholders across the European Union in a collective effort to fight cancer.

The Commission has issued a new call for proposals under  MEDIA 2007 programme to support the European audiovisual sector. The convocation, with a budget of 12.25 million, aims to foster linkages between sectors of production and distribution.

The Council adopted a revised eco-design directive following a first-reading agreement with the European Parliament. The new directive extends the scope of the existing directive 2005/32 by covering in principle all energy-related products.

Consumers will benefit from new default settings on personal music players set at safe exposure levels, as well clear warnings on the adverse effects of excessive exposure to high sound levels, following a decision by the European Commission.