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Victims of terrorism: EU response
On 11 March, Europe honours all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to terror. The European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism was inaugurated after the 2004 Madrid bombings. Protecting victims of terrorism is an essential part of the EU's efforts to address all dimensions of the terrorist threat. In response to the attacks that have hit Europe over the past two decades, the EU has strengthened its rules and sanctions relating to terrorist activities. Ongoing EU action seeks to ...
Revising the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
The impact assessment's strong points include a well-substantiated problem definition, an evidence base that appears to be recent and relevant, and a broad stakeholder consultation, the results of which were put to good use. However, the report's weak points limit its potential to inform decision-making clearly. Firstly, there appears to be a mismatch between the problem description, the objectives and the options of the IA. Secondly, the IA does not explain in sufficient detail why no alternatives ...
Ensuring machine safety in the digital age: Revision of the Machinery Directive
The current Machinery Directive (Directive 2006/42/EC) was designed to allow the free movement of machinery within the internal market, while ensuring a high level of user health and safety. To reduce the occurrence of accidents, it promotes the inherently safe design and construction of machinery, and proper installation and maintenance. On 21 April 2021, the Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation on machinery products, as part of a wider 'artificial intelligence package'. The need for ...
Electoral rights of mobile EU citizens in municipal elections
During the February II plenary session, under the consultation procedure, the European Parliament is due to vote on the report on a European Commission proposal concerning the right to vote in municipal elections of 'mobile' EU citizens, that is, those residing and voting in a Member State of which they are not nationals. Under this procedure, Parliament is consulted, while the Council is not bound by Parliament's position.
Amending digital operational requirements in financial services legislation
On 24 September 2020, the Commission submitted a proposal for a directive amending a number of existing directives governing the regulation and supervision of the financial system, with a view to tackling risks related to information and communications technologies (ICT). The proposal is part of the digital finance package whose overarching objective is to promote innovation and competition in digital finance while mitigating the risks.
Revision of the urban waste water treatment directive
Since its adoption in 1991, the main objective of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive has been the protection of the environment from the adverse effects of urban waste water discharges. While the directive has not been revised until now, recent developments – such as contaminants of emerging concern, increasing heavy rainfalls and adoption of stricter rules in some Member States – have rendered its evaluation necessary. This briefing offers an overview of the evaluation of this directive as ...
Aligning the Product Liability Directive with the circular economy and emerging technologies: Revision of Directive 85/374/EEC
Adopted in 1985, the Product Liability Directive (PLD) introduced a strict, harmonised product liability framework and legal certainty for producers and consumers facing damage caused by defective products. The PLD has co-existed for almost 40 years with national liability rules, offering a fault-based product liability system. The PLD also complements other legal instruments within the EU liability framework that address, for example, contractual liability and product safety. Significant societal ...
Revision of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives
Air pollution is a serious issue with tangible negative effects on health, the environment, economies and societies. The EU has developed a policy on air quality to help Member States reduce air polluting emissions. Although emissions have been falling for the past two decades, exceedances for certain harmful pollutants are still widespread and persistent. A 2019 Commission fitness check of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQDs), which are central to EU air quality policy, shows that the two ...
Revision of Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from risks related to the exposure of asbestos at work
Asbestos is one of the main causes of work-related types of cancer in the EU. More specifically, asbestos-related risks are set to pose a major challenge in the context of the upcoming European Green Deal 'renovation wave', during which it is expected that millions of buildings will be renovated or demolished. In 2009, the EU adopted Directive 2009/148/EC, the Asbestos at Work Directive (AWD), in order to protect workers from and prevent their exposure to asbestos-related health risks, including ...
Consumer protection in the context of overdraft facilities and overrunning
Using available data, the AAG examines the practice of granting credit on the legal basis of credit agreements in the form of an overdraft facility and overrunning in the whole EU and, in more depth, in selected Member States. Furthermore, the study analyses the state of consumer protection in the currently valid Consumer Credit Directive on these types of credit agreements and identifies a number of possibilities for future regulations to improve the so far limited protection in this credit sector ...