About: European Commission

Commission: Disputed antimicrobial should be restricted, but not reserved for human use

European lawmakers are still not impressed by the EU executive's strong defence of its stance on the disputed antimicrobial colistin, as disagreements surrounding the list of antimicrobials to be reserved for human use continue.

EU lawmakers may push 70% emission cut on carmakers by 2030

The European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) is due to vote on mandatory CO2 standards for car manufacturers on Wednesday (11 May), with the possibility of calling for a 70% reduction target by the year 2030. EURACTIV France reports.

European politicians want citizen panels to be used at EU level

The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) ended on Monday (9 May), but a group of politicians want citizens' forums that were at its heart to become a permanent practice at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Commission, WHO discuss mental health aid for Ukrainians

The mental health of Ukrainians and those in exile was at the heart of discussions for the first time at the WHO mental health coalition meeting on Wednesday (4 May), attended by EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. EURACTIV France reports.

Widely criticised IP waiver text to be presented to all WTO members

A widely criticised document produced in international negotiations is set to be presented to all 164 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members in the next step of talks on a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Health brief: Transparency in COVID contracts

The EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic had to happen fast, but critics quickly highlighted the lack of transparency - especially with the vaccine contracts. These critics are not done fighting.

CAP talks could be impacted by recent French fallow land derogation

While the war in Ukraine continues, French farmers are permitted to cultivate fallow land in order to increase production. The question now is whether the direction of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) will also be affected. EURACTIV France reports.

Over 10% of citizen proposals on EU’s future require treaty changes, expert says

Twelve per cent of European citizens’ proposals as a part of the conference on the Future of Europe require a treaty change if they are to be implemented, according to an EU law expert.

EU defends IP waiver compromise amid pressure on India, South Africa to reject it

A broad international platform of activists, unions and experts has urged India and South Africa to reject the leaked compromise on intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, which the European Commission considers the ‘most promising path’ to sort out the issue.

DMA: Germany the test bench for complementarity with competition authorities

The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), flagship legislation targeting tech giants, will be complemented by competition authorities at the national level. In Germany, the powerful Bundeskartellamt is already claiming its space vis-à-vis the European regulator

Air pollution threatens health of billions of people around the world, warns WHO

Ninety-nine per cent of the global population lives in places that exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality standards, threatening health and causing premature deaths, according to a new study published this week.

EU institutions not prepared for increase in cyberattacks

EU institutions are not sufficiently prepared for the increasing number of cyberattacks, a new special report by the European Court of Auditors on Tuesday (29 March) reads. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU climate policy has become key in securing peace, energy independence

Representatives of EU countries have intensified their meetings with the aim of returning to peace and increasing energy independence as Russia has decided to "punish" the bloc for its support of Ukraine

Joint gas purchasing could be a breakthough

A joint gas purchasing platform could lead to a truly European security of gas supply policy. This would amount to no less than a common energy policy for gas, thereby completing the missing link of the EU energy policy framework for oil and electricity, write Christian Egenhofer and Francesco Gazzoletti.

Wastewater reveals the secrets of Europeans’ drug use in 2021

Findings from a recent wastewater analysis reveal the rise in drug use amongst Europeans as the Commission wants to ban two increasingly used substances.

Commission likely to push for recycled PET in food packaging despite concerns

The European Commission will soon decide whether to allow the use of recycled plastics in food packaging despite some suggesting this could endanger consumer health.

MEPs slam new recommendations on antimicrobials reserved for human use

European lawmakers did not hold back in their criticism of the new European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendations for antimicrobials to be reserved for human use at a committee meeting on Tuesday (15 March).

Revision of orphan and paediatric drug framework needed, say reports

Both the European Parliament and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have reiterated the need to update the regulations on medicines for children and orphan drugs, in order to better address unmet needs of children and adolescents in cancer care.

Brussels looks to ban RT, Sputnik from EU over Ukraine disinformation concerns

The European Commission is seeking the "best legal way" to ban pro-Russian media outlets RT and Sputnik to stop their "toxic and harmful disinformation in Europe" following Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's pledge to ban them on Sunday (27 February).

France moves towards more flexible electricity system

Energy professionals who are working on better integrating the growing number of renewable energies into the French energy mix are finding the varying number of renewable energies challenging, though aggregating multiple decentralised sources, using so-called "smart grids" and goodwill could help with better integration. EURACTIV France reports.

One Ocean Summit: States pledge €4 billion to fight plastic pollution at sea

A total of €4 billion will be allocated to combat plastic pollution, according to the so-called "Brest Commitments" adopted at the end of the One Ocean Summit Friday (11 February), where they also agreed to create a global coalition to preserve high seas biodiversity. EURACTIV France reports.

Emerging evidence suggests COVID-19 was worsened by air pollution

As science reveals more and more links between air pollution and the effects of COVID-19, the pressure is mounting on the European Commission to set high ambitions in the upcoming revision of the EU's Air Quality Directive.