Category Archives: Law

Law Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

EU Cybersecurity plan to protect open internet and online freedom and opportunity

Posted on 7, February 2013 by

Brussels,  7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission, together with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has published a cybersecurity strategy alongside a Commission proposed directive on network and information security (NIS). The cybersecurity strategy – “An … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Security & Safety, Technology

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Valeo’s Comfort Access Mechanisms business by Japanese auto parts manufacturer U-Shin

Posted on 7, February 2013 by

Brussels, 7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the French company Valeo SA’s Comfort Access Mechanisms business (“CAM”) by U-Shin Ltd. of Japan. CAM manufactures and distributes products that facilitate vehicle access … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Business, European Union, Financial, France, Government, Law, Technology

Telenor signs with UNI Global Union

Posted on 7, February 2013 by

Today Telenor ASA signed an agreement with UNI Global Union, the voice of 20 million service sector workers around the world, in order to establish a platform and framework for dialogue between UNI and Telenor on fundamental labor rights. Telenor … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Law, Norway, Society, Technology, Telecom

Parliament backs law to tone down harmful traffic noise

Posted on 7, February 2013 by

7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Noise limits for cars would be tightened to protect public health, under a draft law voted in Parliament on Wednesday. MEPs also recommended introducing labels to inform consumers about new cars’ noise levels and adding sound to … Read the full press release →

Posted in Environment, European Union, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

MEPs: Quicker access to cheaper medicines

Posted on 7, February 2013 by

7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Patients should have quicker access to cheaper “generic” medicines, according to MEPs voting on a draft law on Wednesday. The draft rules will require authorities to meet new deadlines and transparency requirements on pricing and reimbursement. “It … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech, Politics, Society

Lars Nyberg leaves TeliaSonera

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

Lars Nyberg, President and CEO, has decided to leave TeliaSonera. 6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — “I am greatly relieved that Mannheimer Swartling has not found anything to support the allegations that TeliaSonera committed bribery or participated in money laundering. This is something … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Financial, Law, Management, Sweden, Technology, Telecom

MEPs to contest use of “Chateau” labels by US wine producers

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Does the Commission plan to allow “Château” or “Clos” labels to be used on US wines sold in the EU? In the EU, these terms mean that the wine was made from grapes grown in a single … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Food & Beverage, Government, International Trade, Law, Marketing

CBI responds to parental leave and flexible working reforms

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The CBI today (5th February 2013) commented on the introduction of a new system of shared parental leave, and the extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees, contained in the Government’s Children and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Law, Society, United Kingdom

Discussion on freedom and the rule of law in Bulgaria

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — MEPs will debate freedom and the rule of law in Bulgaria with the Council Presidency and Commissioner Connie Hedegaard on Wednesday afternoon. The discussion should focus on the assault on Ahmed Dogan, leader of Bulgaria’s Movement for … Read the full press release →

Posted in Bulgaria, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Meeting of the FATF Plenary, Paris 20-22 February 2013

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The 36 members of the Financial Action Task Group (FATF) and representatives from the FATF-Style Regional Bodies will meet in Paris, under the presidency of Mr. Bjørn S. Aamo of Norway, for the second Plenary under the Norwegian Presidency. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Financial, France, Government, Law

European Commission strengthens the protection of the euro by means of criminal law

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

Strasbourg, 6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has today proposed to crack down on criminals who counterfeit euro notes and coins. Counterfeiting of the euro is estimated to have cost at least €500 million since the currency was introduced in 2002. … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Financial, France, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Proposal to protect the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting

Posted on 6, February 2013 by

Strasbourg, 6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Questions and Answers: Why do we need to protect the euro and other currencies? Counterfeiting of the euro and other currencies remains a concern throughout the European Union. The euro is particularly susceptible to counterfeiting on a transnational scale. … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Financial, France, Government, Law, Society

Anti-Money Laundering: Stronger rules to respond to new threats

Posted on 5, February 2013 by

Brussels, 5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Commission has today adopted two proposals to reinforce the EU’s existing rules on anti-money laundering and fund transfers. The threats associated with money laundering and terrorist financing are constantly evolving, which requires regular updates of the rules. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Politics

TeliaSonera: Statement by the Board in respect of the external review of TeliaSonera’s investments in Uzbekistan

Posted on 5, February 2013 by

5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — In September last year, serious allegations were directed at TeliaSonera in relation to the company’s investments in Uzbekistan. The law firm Mannheimer Swartling was assigned to get to the bottom of facts and make an outside assessment … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Financial, Finland, Internet & Online, Law, Sweden, Technology, Telecom

REACH: Chemicals in Europe have become safer

Posted on 5, February 2013 by

Brussels, 5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The use of chemicals in Europe has become considerably safer since the REACH regulation entered into force, according to a European Commission report published today. More readily available information about chemical substances on the market and better … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Chemicals, Environment, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

REACH, the EU’s chemical legislation – Achievements after five years

Posted on 5, February 2013 by

Brussels, 5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The use of chemicals in the EU has become considerably safer since the REACH Regulation entered into force in 2007 as underlined by a Commission Report on the review of REACH published today in Brussels. Why a REACH review? … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Chemicals, European Union, Government, Law, Politics

Licences for Europe: quality content and new opportunities for all Europeans in the digital era

Posted on 4, February 2013 by

Michel BARNIER — Member of the European Commission, responsible for Internal Market and Services Launch of the initiative “Licences for Europe” Brussels, 4-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to thank each and every one of you for attending the launch … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Politics, Technology

Speech: Digital technology and copyright can fit together

Posted on 4, February 2013 by

Neelie Kroes – Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda Stakeholders dialogue on copyright “Licences for Europe” 4-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — New technologies have huge implications for the creative sector. And for the policies and regulatory structures that underpin … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Media, Politics, Technology

Ombudsman: Mario Draghi’s membership of Group of Thirty does not undermine ECB independence

Posted on 4, February 2013 by

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros – European Ombudsman 4-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has rejected a complaint that the independence, reputation, and integrity of the European Central Bank (ECB) are undermined by its President’s membership of the Group of Thirty. This … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Non Profit, Politics, Society

BP Announces US District Court’s Acceptance of Plea Resolving All Criminal Claims Against Company Relating to Deepwater Horizon Accident

Posted on 1, February 2013 by

1-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — BP today announced that the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has accepted the company’s plea resolving all federal criminal charges against the company stemming from the Deepwater Horizon accident, oil spill, and response. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, Law, United Kingdom

Illicit drugs: EU report unveils new worrying trends in smuggling and consumption

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Europe is entering an important new era in the supply and demand for illicit drugs — a development which is challenging current policies and responses. This is according to the first joint EU drug markets report from the European Monitoring Centre for … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

Environment: Newly found health effects of air pollution call for stronger EU air policies

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  Long-term exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and childhood respiratory diseases, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) review released today. REVIHAAP – the “Review of evidence on health aspects of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Politics, Society

Commission to examine legal obstacles to cross-border trade in insurance

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is set to examine barriers to cross-border trade in insurance products caused by different contract laws in the EU’s Member States, after today launching a call for experts to look into the problem. The … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Insurance, Law

Commission calls for EU-wide ban on amphetamine-like drug ‘4-MA’

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission today proposed an EU-wide ban on ‘4-MA’, a synthetic substance with similar physical effects to amphetamines. The Commission asked EU Member States to prevent the drug spreading freely across Europe by submitting it to … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech, Society

Antitrust: Commission enforcement action in pharmaceutical sector following sector inquiry

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Following its competition inquiry into the pharmaceutical sector of 2008/2009 (see IP/09/1098 and MEMO/09/321) the European Commission has issued statements of objections against pharmaceutical companies in three major cases concerning citalopram, an antidepressant, (see IP/12/834), perindopril, a cardio-vascular medicine (see IP/12/835), and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech

EU drug markets report: key findings

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Drug trafficking is a highly profitable commercial activity and a core business for organised crime groups across Europe today. Understanding the reality of the European drug market requires a holistic approach, following the economic chain from production, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Society

Mediation on private copying and reprography levies: António Vitorino presents his Recommendations to Commissioner Barnier

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The mediation process on private copying and reprography levies has concluded with the presentation today of the Mediator’s Recommendations to Commissioner Barnier. António Vitorino, former European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, who was entrusted with this task … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Law

Antitrust: Commission closes investigation into European Minibulk and Container Feeder cooperatives

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

Brussels, 31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has closed an antitrust investigation into two cooperation schemes of ship owners, European Minibulk eG and Container Feeder eG. These two maritime cooperatives established in Germany aimed to coordinate certain activities of the owners … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

European Medicines Agency update on Diane 35 and generics used in the treatment of acne

Posted on 31, January 2013 by

31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The French medicines agency announced today its plan to suspend the marketing authorisation for Diane 35 (cyproterone acetate 2 mg, ethinylestradiol 35 micrograms) and its generics for acne treatment in France within three monthscorr. These medicines are … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, France, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech

Mergers: Commission blocks proposed acquisition of TNT Express by UPS

Posted on 30, January 2013 by

Brussels, 30-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has prohibited under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of TNT Express by UPS. The Commission found that the take-over would have restricted competition in 15 Member States1 when it comes to the express … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

Mergers: Commission prohibits proposed acquisition of TNT Express by UPS – frequently asked questions

Posted on 30, January 2013 by

Brussels, 30-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Mergers: Commission prohibits proposed acquisition of TNT Express by UPS – frequently asked questions (See also the press release: IP/13/68) What are the main features of the small package delivery industry? A small package differs from a … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

Introductory remarks on UPS / TNT Express merger

Posted on 30, January 2013 by

Joaquín Almunia — Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy Brussels, 30-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Today the Commission decided to prohibit the acquisition of the logistics company TNT Express by its competitor UPS. In our investigation we found that the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

Establishing the Single Supervisory Mechanism

Posted on 29, January 2013 by

Speech by Vítor Constâncio, Vice-President of the ECB, at the BAFT-IFSA 2013 Europe Bank-to-Bank Forum 29 January 2013 29-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ladies and gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to be here today at this event organised by the BAFT-IFSA (Bankers’ Association for … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, Economy, Financial, Government, Law, Luxembourg

What EU data protection can do for growth

Posted on 29, January 2013 by

Writes Commissioner Viviane Reding and Alan Shatter, TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence 29-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — One year ago, ahead of the European Data Protection Day 2012, the European Commission proposed a root and branch reform of the EU’s … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Ireland, Law, Technology

European Medicines Agency to review third- and fourth-generation combined oral contraceptives

Posted on 28, January 2013 by

Review to determine whether changes to authorisation are necessary 28-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Medicines Agency has been asked by France to review third- and fourth-generation combined oral contraceptives to determine whether there is a need to restrict the use … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech

Uitspraak Europese Commissie inzake grondprijs Damplein in Leidschendam

Posted on 25, January 2013 by

25-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — De Europese Commissie heeft uitspraak gedaan naar aanleiding van haar onderzoek naar de grondprijsverlaging voor het, inmiddels gerealiseerde, bouwplan op het Damplein in Leidschendam Centrum. In haar besluit van 23 januari 2013 is de Europese Commissie van … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Construction, European Union, Government, Law, Netherlands, Real Estate

State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into compensation for Sardinian airports

Posted on 25, January 2013 by

Brussels, 25-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether an Italian scheme granting financial support to certain airport operators in Sardinia and the air carriers operating in these airports is in line with EU state … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Italy, Law, Transportation & Logistics, Travel

State aid: Commission orders The Netherlands to recover €6.9 million incompatible state aid from Schouten-de Jong Bouwfonds

Posted on 25, January 2013 by

Brussels, 25-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that certain public support measures granted to Schouten-de Jong Bouwfonds (“SJB”) by a public private partnership (“PPP”), consisting of the Dutch municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg and SJB, constitutes state aid that is … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Construction, European Union, Government, Law, Netherlands, Real Estate

Antitrust: Commission fines Telefónica and Portugal Telecom € 79 million for illegal non-compete contract clause

Posted on 25, January 2013 by

Brussels, 25-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Antitrust: Commission fines Telefónica and Portugal Telecom € 79 million for illegal non-compete contract clause The European Commission has imposed fines of € 66 894 000 on Telefónica and of € 12 290 000 on Portugal Telecom … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Law, Portugal, Spain, Telecom

Internal energy market: Commission refers Bulgaria, Estonia and the United Kingdom to Court for failing to fully transpose EU rules

Posted on 25, January 2013 by

Brussels, 25-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is referring Bulgaria, Estonia and the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to fully transpose the EU internal energy market rules. To date Bulgaria, Estonia and the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Bulgaria, Energy, Gas & Oil, Estonia, European Union, Government, Law, United Kingdom