Category: European Commission

European Union to Prohibit Goods Manufactured Using Forced Labor

The European Commission has proposed a ban on products made with forced labor in the European Union (EU) market, with the prohibition covering all products consumed in the region, both locally produced and imported. The proposed ban will make a “real difference” in tackling modern-day slavery, Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice president and commissioner for trade,…


Climate Policies Adversely Impacting Energy Prices, Businesses Suffering Worldwide

Climate policy—not climate change—has impacted thousands of businesses around the world, adversely affecting the livelihood of millions, which, according to multiple analysts, could result in an economic collapse that would dwarf the financial crisis of 2008–09. The energy crisis is a starting point of a global economic meltdown that has already begun in Europe, and…


European Power Prices Tumble as EU Authorities Plan to Avert an Energy Crisis

European benchmark energy prices have plunged by nearly half over the last three days, after news that European Union (EU) policymakers will intervene in an attempt to ease natural gas shortages. German 12-month energy futures on the European Energy Exchange fell as much as 54 percent from their peak at the beginning of the week, from €1,000…


EU Launches Fresh Legal Action Against UK After Northern Ireland Protocol Clears Commons

The European Union has launched fresh legal action against the UK for failing to comply with the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit treaty, just over a day after the UK government’s plan to scrap part of the protocol won approval in the House of Commons. The European Commission triggered four new infringement procedures against…


UK Conservatives Back PM’s Plan to Override Parts of Brexit Treaty

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s bid to tear up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol has cleared its first hurdle in Parliament, with no Conservative MPs voting against it despite concerns the plans may break international law. MPs voted 295 to 221 to back the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which contains measures to remove checks…


European Commission Back Ukraine’s EU Candidacy

European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), said on Friday that they support the organization to consider war-ravaged Ukraine as a potential member. “The Commission recommends that Ukraine be given the perspective to become a member of the European Union. It should be granted candidate status on the understanding that steps are…


Google’s Anti-Competitive Practices Causing ‘Considerable Harm’ to Advertisers and Consumers: Publishers Council

The European Publishers Council (EPC) has filed an antitrust complaint against tech giant Google with the European Commission, aimed at breaking the company’s hold over publishers and other entities that are part of its vast ad ecosystem. “It is high time for the European Commission to impose measures on Google that actually change, not just…


Google Accused of Manipulating Search Results, PriceRunner Suing Company for $2.40 Billion

Swedish price comparison company PriceRunner has announced Monday that a lawsuit has been filed against Google at the Patent and Market Court in Stockholm for a preliminary compensation of 2.1 billion euros ($2.40 billion), accusing Google of showing favoritism to its own services. In a Feb. 7 press release, PriceRunner cited the European General Court’s…


Facebook Wins Conditional EU Antitrust Nod for Kustomer Deal

BRUSSELS—Facebook on Thursday secured EU antitrust approval for its acquisition of U.S. customer service startup Kustomer after agreeing to provide rivals free access to its messaging channels for 10 years. The European Commission said the pledge addressed competition concerns. Reuters reported last month that the world’s largest social network would gained conditional EU clearance for…


Europe Proposes Green Certificate for Nuclear and Gas Energy

The European Union has drafted a proposal that allows consideration for natural gas and nuclear energy to be included within the scope of “green” investments as countries and environmentalists battle over the complicated classification system. Later this month, the European Commission is expected to suggest recommendations on the environmental criteria needed in order to classify…