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E.ON fined
- The European Commission fined German energy group E.ON €38 million yesterday (30 January) for breaking a seal placed on a company office during an antitrust raid conducted in 2006. The Commission claims that the seal was glued after having been broken and believes the company would have had the chance to remove confiscated papers. E.ON is expected to contest the fine.
Ukraine talks
- Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Tuesday (29 January) announced forthcoming negotiations with Ukraine on a free trade agreement. The move follows the EU’s ratification of Ukraine’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will be formally endorsed on 5 February. The EU is Ukraine’s largest trading partner, taking 25% of its exports and providing 42% of its imports in 2006.
EU-Taiwan discord
- The Commission announced that it may take legal action against Taiwan at the WTO if it does not reform its licensing practices within the next two months. Taiwan had granted licences to local producers for the manufacture of recordable compact discs, a technology owned by Dutch electronics firm Philips.
Toy safety
- The Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen announced on Friday (25 January) revisions to EU toy safety rules. Changes include bans on the use of carcinogenic chemicals, restrictions on the use of dangerous substances, such as lead or mercury, and tougher rules governing the inclusion of small parts in toys. Member states will be obliged to strengthen market surveillance and controls. Changes will be adopted by co-decision.
Postal delivery
- MEPs vote today (31 January) on the third postal directive, which will liberalise postal markets across the EU by 2012. A second-reading deal on the directive, which was brokered in October under the Portuguese presidency, proposes that member states open their markets in two phases. New member states and Greece would be given a two-year period of grace to adapt markets beyond a proposed 2010 deadline.
Nokia jobs protest
- European unions met yesterday in Brussels to unite against the closure of a Nokia mobile telephone factory in Germany. The European Metalworkers’ Federation wants to force Nokia to reverse its decision to axe 2,300 jobs in Bochum in west Germany. The firm plans to move production to Romania.
Payments area boost
- The single euro payments area (SEPA) could offer gains of €123 billion over the next six years, according to a Commission study published as SEPA was launched on Monday (28 January).
Internet service providers (ISPs) should not be obliged to reveal personal data of filesharers in civil cases concerning illegal downloads of music and films, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice delivered on Tuesday (29 January).
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