The Council adopted today two mandates authorising the Commission to negotiate on behalf of EU an agreement with the US facilitating access to e-evidence for the purpose of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and to participate in the negotiations in the Council of Europe on a second additional protocol to the Cybercrime Convention, respectively. Both would aim to facilitate the access to e-evidence, such as e-mails or documents located on the Cloud, to be used in criminal proceedings. If later...

June 14, 2019 - Press Release The Commission shared today with Member States the successful outcome of the negotiations to review the functioning of an existing quota to import hormone-free beef into the EU. EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said: "With the successful outcome of the negotiations, the Commission has delivered on a very important issue with a major trade partner with which we are engaged in broader trade talks. With this step, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to bring about a...

June 13, 2019 - Press Release Today, at the occasion of a stock-taking event to mark the first year of application of the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the European Commission is publishing the results of a special Eurobarometer survey on data protection. The results show that Europeans are relatively well aware of the new data protection rules, their rights and the existence of national data protection authorities, to whom they can turn for help when their rights are violated....

EU company law is being updated to reflect the digital age. The Council today adopted a directive that facilitates and promotes the use of online tools in the contacts between companies and public authorities throughout their lifecycle. "The directive will provide improved online procedures, creating a modern and safe way for businesses to dismantle the obstacles involving setting up companies, registering their branches or filing documents, especially in cross border operations." --Ana Birchall, Minister of Justice, Vice Prime Minister for the...

The Regulatory Scrutiny Board holds itself accountable and it publishes a report annually that presents what the Board has done to deliver on its mission. The annual reports also reflect on current trends and practices in better regulation policy as these pertain to the European Commission. The 2018 report describes areas where the Board broke new ground last year. It used its unique vantage point to deliver cross-cutting overviews on e.g. 19 impact assessments that supported multiannual budget proposals. The...

June 13, 2019 - Press Release Over 200 million Europeans voted in the 23-26 May elections, resulting in turnout increasing from 42,61% in 2014 to 51% in 2019. The new legislature will start on 2 July. Before the first plenary sitting in July, political groups hold their constitutive meetings. A political group must consist of at least 25 MEPs elected in at least one-quarter of the member states (i.e. at least 7). To be officially recognised as of 2 July, political...