World news
How to avoid greenwashing? With a new EU directive!
A proposal for a new EU directive promises to strengthen consumer protection against a misleading business practice referred to as greenwashing, and stricter rules for entrepreneurs who claim that their products are environmentally sound (green).
Minimum tax: transitional safe harbour rules
A global minimum tax will apply from taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. It will be applied to groups with consolidated revenues of more than EUR 750 million. This is the same revenue threshold that obliges corporate groups to…
Any progress with VAT system digitisation?
The draft amendment to the VAT Directive which has already undergone the first public comment procedure, aims to digitise the value added tax system and establish a legal framework to level the business environment across EU member states.
Introduction of carbon border tax imminent
The EU has reached an agreement on the introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism. The purpose is to level the prices of products subject to carbon fees (allowances) within the EU with the prices of comparable goods imported from outside…
Regulation on foreign subsidies: new obligations to affect mergers and public…
Until now, the EU has not had the instruments to prevent distortions of the EU market due to foreign subsidies or to prevent an unfair advantage for subsidised companies from third countries. This should change with new Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of…
EU tightens rules for placing coffee, palm oil, or beef on the market
The EU is preparing a regulation imposing stricter rules for making certain commodities and products available on the EU market and exporting them from the EU market. The new regulation shall apply, for instance, to coffee, soy, palm oil, cattle, or…
EU directive ensuring minimum taxation level enters into effect
The EU member states have finally agreed on the introduction of a minimum effective tax rate: the directive on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups and large national groups entered into effect on 23 December 2022. It…
DMA: feared by online platforms, bringing hope for users
Soon, the online world will undergo a radical transformation. As of 1 November 2022, the Digital Markets Regulation entered into force, which will mainly affect large companies doing business in the digital world – such as Apple, Google, or…
EU to increase state support for businesses hit by energy crisis
The European Commission has extended the Temporary Crisis Framework allowing direct subsidies or other forms of state aid for businesses affected by the energy crisis to mitigate the negative economic impact.
EC's landmark decision blocks merger of companies below turnover threshold
In a breakthrough decision, the European Commission has prohibited the merger of two US companies, Illumina and Grail, operating in the European biotechnology market. For the first time ever, the Commission did not allow a merger to proceed even…
Social security perspective on cross-border work from home and remote work
During the pandemic, to allow some sectors to operate without major restrictions, employees often had to work from home or remotely. Working from home (including cross-border) has thus become a common part of working life, even in ‘post-covid’ times…
Women on Boards: quotas to increase gender balance in corporations
After almost a decade of debate on the EU platform, a provisional political agreement has been reached on a proposal for a directive to promote a more balanced gender representation on corporate boards.