Weak consumer rights reform – EUbusiness Week newsletter 814 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 814 top stories: MEPs look to give consumers greater energy security; EU fines car parts, car carrier cartels EUR 546m; Social media giants not doing enough to protect users; Brussels extends cooperation with UEFA; EU auditors to scrutinise organic food checks; States agree to revise rules on funding political parties

Publisher’s Note

Uncertainty over contractual rights is a big obstacle to consumers engaging in cross-border e-commerce. MEPs approved Thursday a single set of rules for consumer protection in the EU for the purchase of goods, and more legal certainty and confidence to engage in cross-border sales is welcome. Not all are happy: BEUC for consumers says the proposal takes away some consumer rights and is a missed opportunity; while UEAPME for SMEs is disappointed at the lack of full harmonisation of guarantees and remedies at European level.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. MEPs look to give consumers greater energy security

An EU Parliament committee approved Wednesday an energy package offering more competition in the electricity market, better information for consumers and plans to tackle shortages during crises.
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2. EU fines car parts, car carrier cartels EUR 546m

The Commission has fined seven car supplying companies – shippers and suppliers of spark plug and braking systems – a total of EUR 546 million for taking part in four different cartels relating to cars.
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3. Social media giants not doing enough to protect users

Social media giants, including Facebook and Twitter, are accused of dragging their feet in responding to requests from the Commission and national consumer authorities to comply with EU consumer rules.
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4. Brussels extends cooperation with UEFA

The Commission and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) signed a new agreement Wednesday to consolidate and strengthen their cooperation in the period up to the end of 2020.
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5. EU auditors to scrutinise organic food checks

The EU Court of Auditors is set to conduct an audit of checks on Europe’s organic food, to look at the control system governing the production, processing, distribution and import of organic products.
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6. States agree to revise rules on funding political parties

EU ambassadors agreed Wednesday on revised rules for the funding of European political parties and foundations – enabling Bulgaria’s EU presidency to get talks under way with the European Parliament.
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EUROPEAN LAW

On-call time: stand-by time of a firefighter on call at home, who is obliged to respond to calls from an employer within a short period, must be regarded as ‘working time’, the EU’s top Court ruled on Thursday.
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Poland’s Bialowieza Forest logging ‘infringes EU law’
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

Invitation letter by President Donald Tusk for leaders’ informal meeting on 23 February – Funding of European political parties – Eurogroup meeting – Eurogroup gives support to Luis de Guindos – Macroeconomic dialogue with social partners – Sugar sector: Council agrees on reimbursement of excess levies 1999 – 2001
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Council …

Commission Watch

European identity and social cohesion – European Week of Regions and Cities 2018 – EMCDDA support for EU drug-related regional programme in Central Asia – ECJ: Commission v Greece – Commission v Poland – EU Bank initiative to tackle migration challenge – Financial statements of the ECB for 2017 – Commission reinforces its senior management
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Parliament Watch

Easier for citizens and businesses to do paperwork online – Job-search aid for former Ericsson staff – Spain help for former clothing industry employees – Post-2020 EU budget reform – consumer protection for defective products – New EU corporate tax plan – Energy Union – solidarity action by young volunteers – first EU programme dedicated to defence industry – new Eurogroup President Mario Centeno – ways to cut cash flows to terrorists – worldwide ban on animal testing of cosmetics
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EU diary

26-27 Feb: European Parliament Committee Meetings
26 Feb: Foreign Affairs Council
27 Feb: General Affairs Council
28 Feb-1 Mar: European Parliament plenary session
1-2 Mar: International financial integration
1-2 Mar: The future of democracy in Europe
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary