Views: 17Overall state aid expenditures EU-wide in 2023 dropped to €186.78 billion from €243.27 billion in 2022. The member states channeled 73% of funds towards such policy objectives as environmental protection and energy savings, research, circular development, innovation and regional development; in 2022, this share was 49%. However, the total amount of aid spent on […]
Category: Legislation
European zero-pollution ambition: complicated ways of progress
Views: 14Twice a year the EU European Commission’s Joint Research Center together with the European Environment Agency, EEA publishes a monitoring report on progress in the member states in achieving the EU’s zero-pollution targets according to the 2021 Zero Pollution Action Plan. It reveals future policies designed to support the zero-pollution ambition in reducing threat […]
EU Circular Economy Action Plan: twin approach for the next decade
Views: 35The European Commission has taken several initiatives to streamline the circularity concept into the member states’ policy developments across different areas (mainly in waste management) since the first decade of this century. The European circularity approach embodied in action plans, involves two stages in its evolution: first plan in 2015 and the second one […]
AI legislation in Europe and prohibited AI practices: Commission’s new guidelines
Views: 292In the beginning of February 2025, the Commission published guidelines providing an overview of AI practices that are regarded as unacceptable and prohibited due to their potential risks to the EU-wide values and fundamental rights. As soon as the prohibited practices are too complicated to comprehend, the Commission has prepared draft guidelines, which are […]
AI in Europe and the world: legal and executive factors
Views: 34During last decade, i.e. mainly from 2018, the EU institutions have been approaching the burning artificial intelligence (AI) issues. The “accommodation” process has been quite active: from the initial “declaration of cooperation” with the EU member states and serious funding to several AI Alliance assemblies to a Union-wide strategy on AI and European AI […]
The EU maintains coordinated policies to protect consumers online and offline
Views: 10On the World Consumer Rights Day (15 March) the Commission underlines the need to ensure proper consumers’ rights implementation and enforcement, improving digital fairness through and addressing existing gaps. Efficient consumer policy can make a tangible difference in people’s lives and help ensure a level playing field for businesses, showing the added value of […]
Recent infringement decisions concerning the states in the Baltics
Views: 15In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against some member states for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. We have chosen only these decisions that cover various sectors and EU policy areas in the Baltic Sea region; they generally aim to ensure the proper application […]
Consumer protection in the EU: screening online traders
Views: 14In order to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market (based on a high level of consumer and environmental protection) and making progress in the green transition, the consumers shall be fully informed on purchasing conditions. In March 2024, the new directive obliged the member states by March 2026 to adopt necessary […]
Several main pillars in the EU plan towards zero pollution
Views: 24The Commission has underlined some main guiding principles in combating pollution: implementation, integration, international cooperation, investments and innovation. They were revealed at the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform organised together with the Committee of the Regions; it is a valuable partnership as EU regions and cities are at the forefront of the zero-pollution transformation.
European zero-pollution ambition: complicated ways of progress
Views: 28Twice a year the EU European Commission’s Joint Research Centre together with the European Environment Agency, EEA publishes a monitoring report on progress in the member states in achieving the EU’s zero-pollution targets according to the 2021 Zero Pollution Action Plan. It reveals future policies designed to support the zero-pollution ambition in reducing threat […]