EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

EU News: The European Commission has presented a Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Regulation on the Statute for a European Company (Societas Europaea or SE).  The European Company Statute, more commonly known by its Latin name 'Societas Europaea' or SE, was adopted on 8 October 2001 (IP/01/1376, MEMO/01/314), after more than 30 years of negotiations.

In theory, the Statute gives companies operating in more than one Member State the option of establishing themselves as a single company under EU law.  This would make them able to operate throughout the EU with one set of rules, including a unified management & reporting system.  The Report is part of the review process of the SE Regulation.  
Press release ~ The European Company “Societas Europaea” (SE)
 
EU News: The ‘EU Internal Security Strategy in Action’ adopted last week comprises 41 actions targeting the most urgent security threats facing Europe.  They include a shared agenda to disrupt criminal & terrorist networks, to protect citizens, businesses & societies against cybercrime, to increase EU security by smarter border management, and to strengthen the Union's readiness & response to crises.
 
A European cybercrime centre is proposed to bring together expertise in investigation & prevention of cybercrime and a series of steps for a smarter approach to border management and preparing for & responding to crises and disasters are in the pipeline.
Press release ~ The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe ~ Towards a European Security Model ~ MEMO 10/598
 
EU News: 23m people are currently unemployed across the EU - 10% of the active population - with serious consequences for European growth & welfare systems.  At the same time, some employers are reporting difficulties in recruiting, especially for high-skill jobs.  In the future there could be shortages in areas like the ICT or health sectors, with an estimated deficit of 700,000 ICT specialists by 2015 and 1m researchers by 2025.

To address these challenges & boost the EU employment rate to reach 75% of men & women by 2020, the EC has launched its flagship initiative 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs'.  It sets out 13 key actions aimed at reforming labour markets, upgrading skills and matching them with market demand to boost employability and make it easier to move jobs, to improve working conditions & job quality and to create jobs.
Press release ~ An Agenda for new skills and jobs ~ Citizens’ summary ~ FAQs ~ Youth on the Move
 
EU News: The European Parliament is ‘holding to a firm, united position in the deadlock over the EU budget for 2011’.  This was confirmed in Tuesday's plenary debate on the 2011 budget negotiations, when discussions ranged over three key issues: the figures for the budget 2011; flexibility within the budget to deal with new priorities or upcoming urgencies; the question of Parliament's involvement in talks on the future Multi-annual Financial Framework and own resources.
 
For the S&D group, Martin Schulz (DE) said "Parliament is being tested.  The discussion is not about money anymore but about the direction in which the EU is developing.  It is about the rights of Parliament as reflected in the Treaty of Lisbon... We are elected to deal with the EU and its budget.  Now the national governments want control and monitor us.  That is the wrong way around!".
 
Lastly, Commission president José Manuel Barroso said to the assembled MEPs: "We will use our right of initiative to put forward proposals on own resources before the end of next June”.
Press release ~ Video recording of debate (EP Live) ~ Q&A on Parliament's position on the budget negotiations
 
EU NewsHarry Potter's 'invisibility cloak' has moved a step closer to reality thanks to European Commission funded nanotechnology research.  Scientists from Germany, Greece, Turkey & the UK have succeeded in tailoring the flow of light using nanotechnology, opening the way not only to potential applications in lenses & optical circuitry, but also to exotic 3 dimensional devices such as 'invisibility cloaks'.  Although currently limited to cloaking objects of sub-millimetre size, the project has delivered a key proof-of-principle for engineering optical properties of materials in ways believed impossible until now.  
Press release ~ Phome Project ~ Future and emerging information technologies
 
EU News: Clearing up the confusion caused by divergences among national legal systems (e.g. in cross-border family or civil law cases) would help, says Parliament in an own-initiative report voted on last week.  MEPs also back efforts to cut red tape that prevents small firms from trading across borders.
 
This report responds to the EU Action Plan Implementing the Stockholm Programme, which was presented by the Commission on 20 April 2010.  The Stockholm Programme seeks to create a European area of freedom, security & justice that will guarantee citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of enterprise.  
Press release ~ Adopted text will be available here (click on 23 November) ~ Report: civil law, law aspects of the Action Plan Implementing the Stockholm Programme
 
EU NewsRules banning certain hazardous substances are set to be extended to more types of electronic & electrical equipment, including talking teddy bears and lab equipment, following a vote by MEPs.  The update to EU legislation, agreed with Member States, also foresees a review that could consider adding new substances to the current blacklist.
Press release ~ Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE)
 
EU News: The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, and Belgium's State Secretary for European Affairs, Olivier Chastel, last week formally signed into law the financial supervision package, which will establish new authorities to oversee the operation of banks, securities markets & insurance companies, as well as monitoring the build up of risk in the economic system as a whole.  The new watchdogs are set to be operational by 2011.
Press release ~ Financial supervision package – EP Press Release 22 Sept 2010
 
EU News: The European Commission has asked Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Finland and the UK to notify national transposition measures as required by the Animal Welfare Directive 2007/43/EC.  The request takes the form of a ‘reasoned opinion’ under EU infringement procedures.  In the absence of a satisfactory response within 2 months, the Commission may decide to refer these States to the European Court of Justice.
Press release ~ Animal welfare on the farm - Broilers
 
EU News: The European Parliament and the Council have given their signature to a regulation that will enable passengers travelling by sea & by inland waterways to enjoy the same rights wherever they travel in the European Union. Among these rights is the right to information or compensation in the case of delay or cancellation of a journey. In addition, the new rules also offer people with a disability or reduced mobility protection when travelling over water.
Press release ~ Your rights as passenger in Europe
Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service