Search Results for: european union

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Commission has launched a series of legal proceedings against EU Member States, which it claims have broken oil-related directives.

It has decided to take Italy to the European Court of Justice over its special tax on engine lubrication oils, which Brussels claims contravenes EU excise duty laws.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE BELGIAN government has committed its tenure of the EU presidency over the next six months to securing formal approval for the creation of a new research fund, pumping millions of Euro’s into steel industry research. This would replace the work carried out via the soon-to-be-defunct European Coal and Steel Community.…

KEITH NUTHALL
HAULIERS from eastern Europe and other regions outside the EU will now almost certainly have to abide by new European rules on driver training, two years before they become compulsory for EU haulage operations. The leeway granted to EU hauliers had been tabled by the European Parliament as changes to the proposed drivers training directive and have now been accepted by the European Commission.…

KEITH NUTHALL
THE IRISH government could be ordered to be massive daily recurring fines, because of its failure to implement EU directive 1999/47/EC on transport of dangerous goods by road, which sets safety rules for this kind of haulage work.

Ireland has already been censured by the European Court of Justice for not writing its contents into national Irish legislation and now the European Commission has asked the European Court of Justice to consider using exceptional powers to levy fines.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Court of Justice has dismissed a bid by a Spanish garden trade company to overturn a decision by the European Commission to refuse to pay an agreed grant, because of allegations that the firm had been involved in fraud.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Court of Justice has been active recently, using its unique powers within international law to bring EU Member States to heel for failing to implement European legislation promoting health and safety.

Unlike any other international court, the ECJ has the power to fine sovereign states, which ignore its rulings.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
THE EUROPEAN Commission said today (Wednesday) it was taking France to the European Court of Justice over restrictions preventing alcoholic drinks producers from participating in the cross-border provision of television broadcasting services, sports sponsorship and advertising services.

Brussels said that the French Loi Evin “disproportionately restricts the cross-border media sales services by sports events organisers in other Member States” and restricted alcoholic drink producers from buying advertising and sponsorship services from sports events organised in other EU countries.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
EUROPEAN and Japanese carmakers have struck an agreement with the European Commission on the voluntary introduction of measures to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

All new vehicles sold in the EU from 2003 would carry daytime running lights and anti-lock brake systems.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed that Portugal be allowed to apply a lower rate of excise duty levied in its two Atlantic island autonomous regions on locally produced and consumed spirits: rum and liqueurs in Madeira, and liqueurs and eaux-de-vie in the Azores.…

BY ALAN OSBORN AND KEITH NUTHALL
A COMPREHENSIVE review of contract law in the 15 Member States of the European Union has been launched by the European Commission, which is concerned that the existing contrasts between national legal systems could be obstruct the functioning of the European Union’s single internal market.…