European Union News - Internal Market

The mechanisms for defending EU companies in the face of unfair competition from across the globe, the so-called 'Trade Defence Instruments', are going to be reviewed by the Commission. The last revision of these mechanisms was in 1995 and Commission believes there is now a need for an examination of their efficiency and effectiveness.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a favourable opinion on a proposed Council Directive on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) because, according to its members reduces tax obstacles and costs associated with cross-border activities, promoting fair, sustainable competition.

The placing online of content on an internet website is to be distinguished from the regional distribution of printed matter, according to a judgment from the Court of Justice of the EU. Victims of infringements of personality rights by means of the internet may bring actions before the courts of the Member State in which they reside in respect of all of the damage caused.

The European Commission has drawn the preliminary conclusion following its investigation that the agreement between Telefónica and Portugal Telecom hinders competition in breach of European antitrust rules.

The European Commission presented some measures which pretends boosting entrepreneurship and responsible business. Among the measures, the Social Business Initiative, that according to the Commission will help this emerging sector to fulfil its unexploited potential.

The European Commission is going to present reform proposals on public procurement rules in December. MEPs therefore suggests to the Commission to include changes to the current rules such as enabling authorities to award contracts not just to the lowest bidder, but to the most innovative in order to benefit the SMEs.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather more information from companies and other affected parties, about the nature and scale of unfair commercial practices, including online scams. Further to this consultation, the Commission will assess how best to stop rogue traders exploiting loopholes in the rules and make sure that legitimate traders are effectively protected.

Despite previous regulation on the provision of investment services in financial instruments facilitated a higher degree of competition and more choice for consumers, the financial crisis has underlined some of the shortcomings of such regulation. In order to overcome this deficiency and achieve more efficient, robust and transparent European financial markets, the European Commission has presented its proposals for revision of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.

Five Member States - Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus and Luxembourg - exceeded their dairy quotas in 2010/2011, resulting in a super levy of about €55.57 million. Total EU production remained well below the total quota volume, despite the overrun of the quotas in these Member States. Overall EU production was 6% below the total EU quotas.

Commission confirmed that it undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the sector of financial derivative products linked to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) in certain Member States. In addition, the Economic and Affairs Committee at the EP also announced a deal with the Polish presidency on the regulation beefing up standards and requirements for the practices of short selling and trading in credit default swaps (CDS), a financial product insuring against default.

The Internal Market Committee voted on its input to forthcoming proposal to revise EU rules on cross-border mobility for professionals. MEPs agreed that without compromising the reliability or safety of their services to citizens, the skills of doctors, engineers, dentists and other professionals applying to work in another EU Member State must be recognised faster.