‘Green claims’ directive: Protecting consumers from greenwashing [EU Legislation in Progress]
Many labels claim products are ‘greener’, ‘more sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendlier’ than others.
Briefings
EU energy infrastructure: Boosting energy security
The energy crisis has changed EU energy infrastructure planning and priorities. Shifting away from Russian fossil fuels required urgent adjustment to energy networks to accommodate new import routes and reduce bottlenecks in existing infrastructure, as well as reflection on the long-term replacement of gas, for instance with renewable electricity, biomethane and green hydrogen.
Establishing the Ukraine Facility: Financing Ukraine’s recovery and its path to EU accession [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine managed to defend itself against the Russian invasion army, and in autumn 2022 was able to win back some temporarily occupied territories, such as in the Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts.
Understanding EU action on pensions
The European population is ageing rapidly and is expected to start shrinking by 2026, as people live longer and have fewer children, and the age structure of the population changes. In 2022, 21.1 % of the EU population was aged 65 and over.
The coup in Niger: Consequences for EU policies in the Sahel
On 26 July 2023, part of the Nigerien presidential guard removed President Mohamed Bazoum from office.
Hearings of European Commissioners-designate: Wopke Hoekstra – Climate
This Briefing concerns a portfolio change in the European Commission in mid-mandate and takes the same format and approach as those Briefings published in September 2019 to give Members of the European Parliament an overview of major issues of interest in the context of the Hearings of the Commissioners-designate.
Hearings of European Commissioners-designate: Maroš Šefčovič – European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
In the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič has served as a Commissioner since 2009.
EU sanctions on Russia: Update, economic impact and outlook
Outraged by Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions, in close cooperation with partners including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan.
Health-related measures in the national recovery and resilience plans
The European Commission estimates that healthcare services are a key economic sector in the EU, accounting for 10 % of gross domestic product (GDP), 15 % of e-government expenditure and 8.3 % of the total workforce in the EU.
Establishing the and Customs Data Hub [EU Legislation in Progress]
Customs policy plays a central role in the history of the European Union (EU). Already in 1957, the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) – the Treaty of Rome – provided for the introduction of a customs union, that is, the elimination of customs duties and restrictions on the import and export of goods between the six founding Member States and the introduction of a common external tariff vis-à-vis trade with third countries.