European Union News - 28 September 2009

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.

Under the slogan “Eat it, Drink it, Move it” three roadshows will tour seven European countries, giving children a chance to take part in educational activities and games. The European Commission also launched an interactive website, competitions and other events with one key goal in mind – to change children’s eating habits for the better.

To cope with the economic crisis, innovation is emerging as a feasible mean of recovery. In fact, is one of the points that takes into account the Lisbon Strategy. Therefore, the Council met on 24 and 25 September and discussed the innovation policy of the EU.

The ten nominations for this year's Sakharov Prize, the EP's prize for defenders of human rights and democracy, have now been put forward and will be officially presented at the end of the month at a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Development Committee and the Human Rights Subcommittee. The winner will be chosen on 22 October and the prize will be ceremonially awarded mid-December.

The European Commission has published two calls for proposals in the Official Journal of the EU with a total budget of 10 million. The calls relate, first, to support the development of production projects, and secondly, to support the development of interactive works on platforms online or offline