Getting ready for GDPR – EUbusiness Week newsletter 812 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 812 top stories: EU27 agree negotiating stance on Brexit transition; States endorse deal on energy efficient buildings; Commission boost for European blockchain effort; EU credibility on tax avoidance undermined: MEPs; Brussels plans first ‘Counterfeit and Piracy’ watch list; Europe’s drinking water set for upgrade

Publisher’s Note

With only a few months before the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) comes into force, businesses and Member States are warned they are not doing enough to prepare. “It is almost surreal to pretend from SMEs to comply with the GDPR by 25 May when today, less than 4 months away, Member States have still not completed the necessary work to prepare the right environment” – employers organisation UEAPME
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU27 agree negotiating stance on Brexit transition

EU27 ministers adopted a new set of Brexit negotiating directives Monday, detailing their position on a transition period after Brexit, and mandating the Commission to start talks with the UK on the issue.
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2. States endorse deal on energy efficient buildings

Member States have confirmed a political agreement on the revised directive on the energy performance of buildings, to improve energy efficiency and encourage building renovation.
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3. Commission boost for European blockchain effort

Brussels has given its backing to European efforts to develop blockchain technology, launching the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum for a technology seen as a gamechanger for Europe’s economy.
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4. EU credibility on tax avoidance undermined: MEPs

Leading MEPs hit out at finance ministers for removing eight countries from the EU’s blacklist of tax havens, saying it will hamper the fight against tax evasion and avoidance.
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5. Brussels plans first ‘Counterfeit and Piracy’ watch list

As part of plans for an intellectual property enforcement system, the Commission has launched a public consultation to establish a worldwide ‘Counterfeit and Piracy’ watch list.
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6. Europe’s drinking water set for upgrade

The Commission is proposing to revise the EU Drinking Water Directive, in an effort to improve the quality and people’s access to drinking water, and to reduce use of plastic.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Air freight: the EU’s top Court upheld Thursday fines imposed by the Commission on a number of companies for participation in cartels in the international air freight forwarding services sector.
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Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

EU Youth Orchestra funding – Energy efficient buildings – Situation in Ukraine – Brexit negotiating directives – Skimmed milk powder – economic policy of the euro area – Macroeconomic imbalances – Taxation: Eight jurisdictions removed from EU list
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Commission Watch

CCP stress test results – Safer drinking water – EU Auditors examine wind and solar power production – International efforts to ensure education for all – EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum – Evaluation of advanced therapy medicines – EIB boosts Western Balkans’ economies – Peter Praet: Economic developments in the euro area – strategy to combat desertification – Sustainable Finance – Assistance package for Palestine – Aviation and shipping challenges in reducing environmental impacts – Eurostat figures: Euro area annual inflation, Euro area unemployment, GDP flash estimate – EIB record EUR 1 billion Irish financing in 2017
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Parliament Watch

Brexit: EP to keep fighting to fully protect rights of EU-UK citizens – LUX Prize at CinÃ� LumiÃ�re – a celebration of European youth on screen – Rule of law in Poland: Civil Liberties MEPs urge EU member states to act swiftly
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EU diary

5 Feb: EIB Board of directorsâ�� seminar with civil society
5-8 Feb: European Parliament plenary session
5-6 Feb: European forum on eco-innovation for air quality
7 Feb: Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) applicant seminar
7 Feb: Risk assessment research assembly (RARA)
8-9 Feb: EU Compass Forum on mental health and wellbeing
8 Feb: Smart grids studies – lighthouse projects
9 Feb: Workshop on cooperative intelligent transport systems
9 Feb: Women with disabilities in the EU: way forward
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary