Featured news

Today, the Commission has proposed concrete steps to further digitalise the coordination of social security systems in Europe, in a dedicated Communication. It lays out actions to make access to social security services quicker and simpler across borders by making full use of digital tools.

The return of the wolf to EU regions is increasingly leading to conflicts with local farming and hunting communities. The Commission is launching today a new phase in its work on addressing these challenges and inviting local authorities to submit up-to-date data on wolf population and their impact.

1 September marks the start of the European Heritage Days with tens of thousands of events taking place in 48 countries. Under the theme ‘Living Heritage’, citizens can learn about Europe's rich and diverse culture and promote the protection of our shared heritage for present and future generations.

The European Medicine Agency's human medicines committee has recommended authorising an adapted vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant. Vaccines are adapted to better match circulating variants and this one will be used for adults and children from 6 months of age.

To tackle the devastating wildfires in Greece, the European Commission has mobilised 11 firefighting planes and 1 helicopter from the rescEU reserve, making this its largest aerial operation to date. Hundreds of firefighters from 7 European countries are also helping fight the blazes.

A new law to ensure that batteries are collected, reused and recycled in Europe has entered into force. The new Batteries Regulation will ensure that, in the future, batteries have a low carbon footprint, and use less harmful substances and less raw materials from non-EU countries.

The Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative aimed at preserving Ukrainian culture and heritage, and supporting the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the EU. If it receives 1 million signatures within one year from at least 7 EU countries, the Commission can take action.

After severe floods and wildfires, Slovenia and Cyprus issued a call for help through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In response, France and Germany sent excavators and prefabricated bridges to Slovenia. To Cyprus, the EU is providing firefighting airplanes and Greece liquid retardant.

The EU and the Philippines will shortly kick off talks to find a mutual understanding on a future free trade agreement. If this concludes successfully, and after consultations with the Member States, the two regions could then resume trade negotiations.

The European Commission has proposed updates to its existing rules on protecting children from potential risks in toys. The new safety requirements will increase protection from harmful chemicals and aim to reduce the amount of unsafe toys sold in the EU.

As the Mediterranean region grapples with rapidly spreading wildfires, the EU steps in to reinforce firefighting efforts and provide much-needed support to the affected communities. Over 490 firefighters and 9 firefighting planes have been deployed to Greece and Tunisia since 18 July.

The Council has approved new measures to improve energy efficiency. These will reduce energy consumption in the EU by 11.7% in 2030 and increase efforts to save energy. EU Member States can apply a flexible approach in reaching the targets of this new law, which enters into force in the next weeks.

The Commission proposed today further action to reduce animal testing in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative on cruelty-free cosmetics and against animal testing. It also provided an overview of the EU's legislative and policy framework regarding the use of animals for testing purposes.

The Council has today approved the regulation to strengthen Europe's semiconductor ecosystem, better known as the European Chips Act. Through this, up to €43 billion in public and private investment should be mobilised, with the aim of doubling the EU's global market share in semiconductors by 2030.

The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that 93% of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem facing the world. Some 58% think that the transition to a green economy should be stepped up in the face of energy price spikes and concerns over gas supplies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Council has given the Commission the green light to start negotiating a new agreement with the US. It will focus on strengthening critical minerals supply chains and mitigating some of the US Inflation Reduction Act's effects on EU industry.

The Commission has presented a plan to boost data-sharing and innovation, making the EU's tourism sector smarter, more sustainable and more resilient. Tourism businesses and public authorities will be able to share a broad range of data thanks to this.

EU countries’ representatives have reached a common position on a proposed law that addresses all relevant aspects of cybersecurity of connected devices. The new law will help ensure that products with digital components, such as smart fridges, TVs, and toys, are safe before entering the market.

The European Parliament's energy committee voted to support reforms to the electricity market, paving the way for negotiations with the Council to begin. These reforms will protect vulnerable consumers from volatile prices, strengthen their rights on contracts, and reduce price spikes.