EU web links

A collection of links to web sites of the European Union institutions and other European business web sites.

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Working conditions in the EU 2007–2008 — 24 July 2008, 23:34 CET

Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2007–2008 - from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (pdf)

Industrial Property — 16 July 2008, 18:02 CET

The importance of protection of Industrial Property rights (in particular the protection of inventions, industrial design and trade marks) for innovation, employment, competition and thus economic growth, cannot be underestimated. The European Commission focuses in particular on these "knowledge-based" aspects of the Single Market. Its work is partly concerned with traditional instruments regulating the market, such as harmonising the laws of the Member States relating to industrial property rights to avoid barriers to trade. The aim is also to create unitary systems for the protection of such rights with EU-wide effect through the filing of one single application for protection (Community trade marks, designs and patents). The Commission is also increasingly concerned with ensuring that the Single Market functions properly in the Information Society and the fight against Counterfeiting. A fundamental discussion on the principle of Community exhaustion of trade mark rights and its economic effects on innovation, employment and prices are also handled by the Commission, as well as the discussions on Enlargement.

EU roaming tariffs — 15 July 2008, 13:43 CET

How much do you pay when you use your mobile phone abroad? Tariffs for SMS, data and voice roaming in the European Union.

Community Fisheries Control Agency — 11 July 2008, 14:18 CET

The Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) is a new European Union body established in 2005 to organise operational coordination of fisheries control and inspection activities by the EU Member States and to assist them to cooperate so as to comply with the rules of the Common EU Fisheries Policy in order to ensure its effective and uniform application. CFCA has its official seat in Vigo, Spain.

Review of the international role of the euro — 10 July 2008, 23:26 CET

The European Central Bank (ECB) published on 9 July 2008 its "Review of the international role of the euro", focusing on developments during the year 2007.

The Treaty of Lisbon — 10 July 2008, 23:21 CET

The Treaty signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States in Lisbon on 13 December 2007 will provide the EU with modern institutions and optimised working methods to tackle both efficiently and effectively today's challenges in today's world. In a rapidly changing world, Europeans look to the EU to address issues such as globalisation, climatic and demographic changes, security and energy. The Treaty of Lisbon will reinforce democracy in the EU and its capacity to promote the interests of its citizens on a day-to-day basis.

Economic Reconstruction and Development in South East Europe — 04 July 2008, 14:01 CET

The Joint Office for South East Europe was set up in 1999 to support the European Commission and the World Bank in their Joint role as coordinators of international assistance for the reconstruction and development of South East Europe (SEE). The work of the office is underpinned by three core interrelated functions: Facilitating European Commission / World Bank / Donor Cooperation; Aid mobilization and monitoring aid flows to South East Europe; and Communicating and transferring knowledge and information to both the international community and the countries of the region.

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) — 03 July 2008, 18:41 CET

The EGF aims to help workers made redundant as a result of changing global trade patterns to find another job as quickly as possible. The fund was launched by the European Union in 2007 and will provide up to 500 million euro a year in support.

EU Agency for Fundamental Rights — 01 July 2008, 19:03 CET

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is a body of the European Union (EU), established through Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 of 15 February 2007. It is based in Vienna and is being built on the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC). FRA carries out its tasks independently. It cooperates with national and international bodies and organisations, in particular with the Council of Europe. It also works closely with civil society organisations.

"Small Business Act" for Europe — 25 June 2008, 23:13 CET

The "Small Business Act" for Europe was adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2008. It is based on ten guiding principles and proposes policy actions to be undertaken by both the Commission and EU Member States.

Europass — 20 June 2008, 15:59 CET

Europass is a way of helping people to make their skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in Europe (European Union, EFTA/EEA and candidate countries); and to move anywhere in Europe. Europass consists of five documents: two documents (Europass curriculum vitae (CV) and Europass Language Passport) you can fill in yourself; and three other documents (Europass Certificate Supplement, Europass Diploma Supplement and Europass Mobility) filled in and issued by competent organisations.

State aid Register — 17 June 2008, 17:22 CET

The State aid Register contains information on all cases that have been the object of a European Commission decision since 1st January 2000. In addition, it provides information on block exemption cases registered by the Commission.

Ireland Lisbon Treaty Referendum 2008 — 09 June 2008, 17:14 CET

In this website the Referendum Commission attempts to explain as simply as possible: what you are being asked to decide in the referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon; what the Lisbon Treaty is about. Others will argue for a 'Yes' or a 'No' vote. The Referendum Commission's role is, however, simply to explain what the Lisbon Treaty referendum is about and encourage you to vote.

The life of women and men in Europe - A statistical portrait — 09 June 2008, 16:50 CET

This is a very interesting publication on gender statistics. It describes the situations of women and men at different stages of their lives. It begins by covering children, their education and initial training. Possible differences between women and men in the age at which they leave the family home and in their lifestyles are also shown. It then examines women and men in their professional life, focusing on their differing career paths, the respective positions they occupy and their abilities and strategies for reconciling the pursuit of a working career with family responsibilities. The final analytical part is a review of women and men beyond retirement age, including the income they receive from pensions and other sources. Whether or not they are still working, their household circumstances, their health and social relations are further matters dealt with in the publication.

Nuclear Issues - Emergency Preparedness — 05 June 2008, 01:14 CET

The Radiation Protection unit (TREN H.4) is responsible for radiological emergency preparedness arrangements within the European Commission. While the primary responsibility of protecting the general public in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency lies with the EU Member State authorities, the Commission participates in this work by maintaining the following international systems: ECURIE (European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange) - EURDEP (EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform) - ENSEMBLE

Europe in Figures - Eurostat Yearbook 2008 — 03 June 2008, 16:46 CET

What was the population growth in the EU27 over the last 10 years? In which EU Member State is it most common to own a house? Which Member State has the highest hourly labour cost? Which Member States are the most popular tourist destinations? The answers to these questions and to many more can be found in the 12th edition of the Eurostat Yearbook1, published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Europe in Figures - Eurostat Yearbook 2008 provides users of official statistics with an overview of the wealth of information that is available on Eurostat's web site and within its online databases. It shows how key indicators have developed during the last eleven years in the EU27, the euro area, the Member States and the Candidate countries. Data for the EFTA countries, the US and Japan are included when available.

Green Week 2008 — 30 May 2008, 17:04 CET

Besides the problems of climate change, the scarcity of our planet's natural resources and pollution, mankind is faced with equally pressing challenges related to production, consumption and waste disposal. Many people are unaware of the speed at which we are using up our natural resources, and that we are producing waste far faster than it can be turned back into a useful resource. Green Week 2008 will take a closer look at the sustainable use of natural resources, focusing on waste management, sustainable consumption and production. The event will provide a unique opportunity for debate, exchanges of experience and best practice among non-governmental organisations, businesses, various levels of government and the public.

Sport: free movement of workers in the EU — 29 May 2008, 17:19 CET

The application of the Community rules on free movement of workers to sport is not dealt with in any specific Community legal provisions. However, there exists important case-law of the European Court of Justice in this field.

UEFA rule on 'home-grown players': compatibility with EU rules — 29 May 2008, 16:22 CET

The European Commission has published an independent study on the ‘home-grown players’ rule adopted by UEFA. This rule requires clubs participating in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup to have a minimum number of ‘home-grown players’ in their squads. Compared with the '6+5' plan proposed by FIFA, which is incompatible with EU law, the Commission considers that UEFA has opted for an approach which seems to comply with the principle of free movement of workers while promoting the training of young European players. The Commission also notes that the measures are designed to support the promotion and protection of quality training for young footballers in the EU. This study had been announced in the White Paper on Sport in July 2007.

Car Safety Package — 23 May 2008, 16:50 CET

New technologies are now available which can dramatically improve vehicle safety or reduce CO2 emissions. The new "Car Safety Package" proposal foresees mandatory fitting of the following safety features: Electronic Stability Control Systems on all vehicles; Advanced Emergency Braking Systems and Lane Departure Warning Systems on heavy-duty vehicles; foresees the mandatory fitting of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems on passenger cars and introduces requirements on tyres with regard to their rolling resistance; sets more stringent noise emission limit values for tyres and introduces new wet grip requirements to ensure that this important safety aspect is not overlooked in the pursuit of more energy-efficient, quieter tyres; significantly simplifies the existing regulatory environment by repealing 150 Directives on the type-approval of vehicles.

Financial Inclusion website — 23 May 2008, 15:01 CET

This website has been developed for the European study 'Financial Services Provision and Prevention of Financial Exclusion', financed by the European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunity led from January 2007 till March 2008.

ENISA - European Network and Information Security Agency — 23 May 2008, 14:55 CET

Every day we experience the Information Society. Interconnected networks are touching our everyday lives, at home and at work. It is therefore vital that e.g. computers, mobile phones, banking, high-tech cars and the Internet are functioning, as they constitute the "Digital Economy". That is why ENISA is working with Network and Information Security for the EU and the Member States. ENISA is a Centre of Excellence for the EU Member States and EU Institutions in Network and Information Security, giving expert advice and recommendations; is a switchboard of information for best practices; facilitates contacts between the EU-institutions, the EU Members States and the private business & industry actors. ENISA consequently contributes to modernising Europe and securing the smooth functioning of the Digital Economy and the Information Society.

European Nuclear Energy Forum — 23 May 2008, 14:05 CET

On 10 January 2007, the European Commission issued the Communication 'An Energy Policy for Europe'. In this document, the Commission called for an expanded use of renewable energies and for the enhancement of energy efficiency within the EU, while underlining the substantial contribution of low-CO2 emitting nuclear energy to the EU energy mix.

European Green Capital Award — 22 May 2008, 13:30 CET

The European Commission has launched the European Green Capital Award to reward cities that have a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards.

CosIng cosmetic ingredients database — 20 May 2008, 15:49 CET

CosIng is the European Commission database with information on cosmetic ingredients contained in the "Cosmetics Directive" 76/768/EEC (Cosmetics Directive), as amended; Inventory of Cosmetic Ingredients, as amended; and Opinions on cosmetic ingredients of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products. CosIng also allows for search for the relevant CAS, ELINCS or EINECS numbers. CosIng includes all data since the adoption of the Cosmetics Directive in 1976. Therefore the current data are mentioned as "active" and the historical data as "not active". However, references to scientific opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products are restricted to those published on the internet.