EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

EU News: The European Commission has recently launched a call asking experts from all fields to participate in shaping the agenda of Horizon 2020, the European Union's future funding programme for research & innovation.
 
Individuals can express their interest, acting either in a personal capacity, as representatives of collective interest groups, or as representatives of organisations.  Details of the criteria on which selection will be based, including the profile of experts, are set out in the call.  
Press release & links
 
EU NewsAmbient air quality is poor in many EU Member States – despite an obligation for governments to ensure good air quality for citizens.  The situation is so serious that the Commission is currently taking action against 17 States with a consistent record of poor air quality.
 
A fresh approach is now being taken, enlarging the scope of the legal action.  The aim now is to urge Member States with on-going air quality problems to take forward-looking, speedy & effective action to keep the period of non-compliance as short as possible.
Press release & links
 
EU News: The European Commission last week announced the winners of a multi-billion euro competition of Future and Emerging Technologies (FET). The winning Graphene and Human Brain initiatives are set to receive €1bn each, to deliver 10 years of world-beating science at the crossroads of science & technology. Each initiative involves researchers from at least 15 EU Member States and nearly 200 research institutes.
Press release & links ~ STFC: New UK research offers breakthrough in understanding the electronic properties of super-material graphene
 
EU News: One year ago, ahead of the European Data Protection Day 2012, the European Commission proposed a root & branch reform of the EU’s data protection rules to make them fit for the 21st century.  One year later, headway has been made and negotiations on the new rules are progressing at full speed.
Press release & links 
 
EU News: The Commission is working to identify & eliminate any gaps in the Single Market legislation, in particular if there are any obstacles to the trade of new products & new technologies, such as key enabling technologies or 3-D printing.  The Commission has therefore launched a consultation process which asks business & interested parties to inform the Commission about regulatory issues they encounter while trading industrial products within the EU – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information
Press release & links
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