European Union News - Industry

The Council announced the approval of new agreement reached with the European Parliament on foods considered essential for certain vulnerable persons such as babies and young children. The new regulation seeks to clarify the legal framework relating to these foods by avoiding the overlap between the specific legislation applicable to such foods and the legislation applicable to normal food.

The European Commission sent a Statement of Objections with its preliminary view that Samsung's seeking of injunctions against Apple in various Member States on the basis of its mobile phone standard-essential patents ("SEPs") amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU antitrust rules.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report which shows that households and industry in the EU were largely responsible for the emissions increase in 2010, together leading to an additional 90 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 2009. Households and industry in the EU each cause approximately a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report.

The European Commission presented a Communication which takes stock of the current state of the EU customs union, identifies the challenges that it currently faces, and sets out priority actions for ensuring its future evolution.

The Council has called for stronger coordination, unity and solidarity at EU level and for a more robust EU external aviation policy in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the European aviation industry while supporting the interests of European consumers.

The European Commission adopted new Broadband Guidelines that intends to help Member States achieve the objectives of the EU Digital Agenda. The new guidelines focus in technological neutrality, ultra-fast broadband networks, step change to connectivity, reinforcement of open access, and transparency.

Despite the digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy, its full potential development is still being refrained by a fragmented pan-European policy framework. In order to tackle these barriers for development, the European Commission has adopted seven priorities for the digital economy and society to be implemented over the period 2013-2014.

In the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas called for full engagement on the implementation of the Single European Sky, and for a positive cooperation between ECAC and the EU.

The European Commission made a proposal to modernise the existing rules on cross-border business insolvency so that they support restructuring of business in difficulties and create a business-friendly environment – the current rules date from 2000. According to the Commission, the changes will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border insolvency proceedings.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the best way to improve air quality in Europe. The results of the consultation will feed into a comprehensive review of Europe's air policies due in 2013. The consultation is open until 4 March 2013.

According to a survey results, in January 2012, almost half of enterprises in the EU reported that they provided some type of portable device to at least some of their staff for business use. With regard to the type of mobile devices provided to staff, 40% of enterprises provided portable computers and 39% other mobile devices, such as smartphones or Personal Digital Assistants.

With the final approval given by the Council, there will apply new rules for motorcycles and other light vehicles. Among the measures approved there are the fitting of advanced braking systems will now become obligatory for two-wheel motorcycles and automatic "switching-on" of headlamps will be mandatory for all light vehicles.