European Union News

The European Parliament announced the three finalists for the 2011 LUX. In this occasion, the finalista are a Greek production, "Attenberg" by Athina Rachel Tsangari; another from France's "Les neiges du Kilimandjaro" by Robert Guédiguian and a Swedish, French, Danish production, "Play" by Ruben Östlund. The winner will be announce in November.

Although the use of creosote, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical is banned since 2003 for consumers, is still being used on wooden railway sleepers, electricity poles and in fencing. Accordingly, the European Commission has presented its decision to strengthen the restrictions on its industrial use.

85,000 responses were received to the public consultation on the upcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive. The outcome shows that contributions varied significantly. For example, those in favour of mandatory pictorial health warnings stressed that these measures would significantly weaken the advertising effects of the packaging. Opponents, on the other hand, raised legal concerns arguing that these measures would have little or no impact on the uptake of smoking.

In order to improve the awareness of the EU rights among citizens, in particular that all EU citizens can request assistance from another EU country's embassy or consulate in case your own country is not represented, the new EU passports includes information on consular protection. Also, there is the address of the EU's dedicated website providing details on where a EU citizen can find help during your holidays outside the EU.

The European Commission proposed new legislation that will make the use of jet skis and sailing boats less harmful for European waters. The proposed revision of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) sets that propulsion engines will have to be designed and constructed to emit 20% less of HC+NOx emissions and 34% less of particulate matters. The proposal also clarifies some safety requirements.

The European Commission adopted a new legislation which has as main aim to boost the investments in new technologies that reduce CO2 emissions from new cars. Motor manufactures will receive recognition for CO2 savings by fitting new cars with approved "eco-innovations" which reduce emissions.

The Council has limited the increase in payments in 2012 EU budget to 2.02% compared to 2011. This means that in real terms the Council's position would lead to a EU budget freeze. In absolute figures, compared to the amounts proposed by the Commission, the Council decreased the payments by a total of €3.65 billion and the commitments by €1.59 billion.

According to the outcome of the Virobathe research, in almost 40% of more than 1,400 bathing water samples collected from coastal and inland areas in nine European countries, there were viruses discovered. While the concentrations are low, the research suggested that the presence of infectious adenoviruses and noroviruses in water samples could pose a risk to health.

The European Commission published a report in which shows a remarkable fall of 2.5% in real terms and thus, price differentials for new cars in EU narrowing in 2010. According the Commission, the fall in real car prices across the EU continues a trend observed for more than a decade, which indicates that competition between car manufacturers on the market for new cars is working.

The results of the call for proposals for the Special Action for Third Countries 2011 are out. The projects selected will receive funding for more than €2 for cultural cooperation projects between European and Third Country partners. The eligible third country for 2011 was the United States of Mexico.

The EU and the United States authorities presented Joint Report on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) best practices exchange after holding the conference with the same name in 28-29 June 2011. Participants at the conference discussed topics such as the reduction of trade barriers impacting SMEs, standardisation and regulation or reduction of administrative burdens.

The European Commission proposes a new Europe-wide preservation order to ease the recovery of cross-border debts for both citizens and businesses. Around one million small businesses face problems with cross-border debts and up to €600 million a year in debt is unnecessarily written off because businesses find it too daunting to pursue expensive, confusing lawsuits in foreign countries.