EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

EU: News: The European Commission has completed the launch of the EU tool that supports early large-scale demonstration of CO2 capture & storage (CCS) technologies.  The CCS Project Network is the world's first network of CCS demonstration projects to foster knowledge sharing and raise public understanding of the role of CCS in cutting CO2 emissions.
Press release ~ CCS Project Network
 
EU: News: The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation indicating to national telecoms regulators how they should regulate third-party competitive access to ultra-fast fibre networks that bring high-speed broadband connections to homes & workplaces.

Regulators should apply the new guidance in their daily decision making as soon as the text has been published in the EU's Official Journal.  Under the telecoms Framework Directive (2002/21/EC) they are obliged to take ‘utmost account of the Commission's Recommendation, justifying any departure from it’.  The Recommendation forms part of a package of broadband measures presented by the Commission last week (see IP/10/1142).  See also press release for other related links.
Press release
 
EU: News: The European Commission adopted last week a 5-year strategy for promoting equality between women & men in Europe.  The strategy aims in particular to make better use of women's potential, thereby contributing to the EU's overall economic & social goals.

It translates the principles set out in the European Commission's Women's Charter (see IP/10/237) into specific measures, ranging from getting more women into company boardrooms to tackling gender-based violence.  The strategy spells out a series of actions based around 5 priorities: the economy & labour market; equal pay; equality in senior positions; tackling gender violence; and promoting equality beyond the EU.
Press release ~ European Commission adopts new strategy on gender equality (see Related documents) ~ More women in senior positions – Key to economic stability and growth.
 
EU: News: The European Commission's own research body, the Joint Research Centre, has published an indicator-based map of potential threats to soil biodiversity, in order to guide decision-makers in protecting this crucial resource.  The biodiversity within our soils plays a vital role in agriculture and in the water & carbon cycle.
Press release ~ European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity ~ Conference 'Soil, Climate Change and Biodiversity – Where do we stand? ~ EU's soil policy
 
FSA: The Food Standards Agency is keen to hear from any company that uses specific colours in particular types of products that the EC proposes should no longer be permitted. If there is no evidence of the colours being used, permission for use in that food category will be withdrawn.  Major European trade associations are not aware of the colours currently being used in the food categories mentioned. The colours are listed by food category in the document that can be downloaded from the link below
Press release ~ Colours and food categories
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