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EU news and funding

EU news and funding bulletin

12 June 2009

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EU news & funding is a fortnightly bulletin to keep London's businesses informed of key European information.

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Funding opportunities
Tender opportunities
EU press releases
EU legislation and consultations
Business events

Funding opportunities

Audiovisuals

The i2i Audiovisual programme funds business in the audiovisual sector by contributing to costs of insurance, completion guarantees and bank financing for audiovisual work. Proposals are due by 7 July 2009.

The Media ‘Automatic’ Scheme 2009 provides funds to distributors of European films. Proposals are due by 29 May 2009.

New 'Promotion and access to the market' aims to improve the conditions of access for professionals to trade events and to professional audiovisual markets. Proposals are due by 7 August 2009.

Environment

New The LIFE+ programme provides €20 million for co-financing UK nature and biodiversity, environment policy and governance and information and communication projects. Proposals are due by 15 September 2009.

Energy

The Eco-Innovation Programme supports the first application and further market uptake of eco-innovative products and services in Europe. Proposals are due by 10 September 2009.

The call for Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) proposals is out now. €65m is available to support projects promoting energy efficiency. Proposals are due by 25 June 2009.

For more information contact rachael.m@gle.co.uk.

Research and development

The ARTEMIS programme focuses on downstream research and technology development with a strong market drive. Proposals are due by 3 September 2009.

Proposals for The ENIAC Joint Undertaking Initiative for research and development of nanoelectronics are due by 3 September 2009.

The ICT FET Open Scheme operates a continuous proposal submission process for small and medium-scale projects proposals looking into long-term research in the area of information and communication technologies until 24 May 2011.

For further information contact fp7@gle.co.uk

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For more information, please visit the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry website, or contact Tessel van Essen on 020 7203 1838.

EU press releases

Economy: First GDP estimates for the first quarter of 2009 published
Employment: Commission initiates new strategy to tackle the employment impact of the crisis
R & D: Commission proposes new legal framework for European Research Infrastructures
Telecoms: New rules on mobile phone roaming charges adopted to apply from 1 July

Read more EU press releases

EU legislation and consultations

Environment:

Future of Emission Allowances under the Emissions Trading Scheme, EC consultation From 2013, at least half of the allowances under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will be auctioned instead of being allocated to businesses free of charge. A smooth introduction of auctioning is therefore important for the continued efficient functioning of the EU ETS and for protecting confidence in the market for emission allowances. The consultation covers all aspects of auctioning that may be relevant for the future Regulation. It seeks views notably on the timing, size and frequency of auctions, auction design and regulatory aspects relating to issues such as pre-registration of participants, collateral, payment and delivery, information disclosure and monitoring. It also addresses the question of the number of auction processes that could be used and the appropriate degree of coordination between Member States. The consultation runs. until 3 August 2009.

Environment:

Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, EC legislation Directive 2009/28/EC establishes a common framework for the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and sets mandatory national targets for the overall share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy and for the share of energy from renewable sources in transport. It also lays down rules relating to statistical transfers between Member States, joint projects between Member States and with third countries, guarantees of origin, administrative procedures, information and training, and access to the electricity grid for energy from renewable sources. Finally, it establishes sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids.

Food:

Extraction Solvents Used in the Production of Foodstuffs and Food Ingredients, EC legislation This Directive updates and amends Directive 88/344/EEC and applies to extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs or food ingredients including those imported into the EU. They do not apply to extraction solvents used for the production of additives, vitamins and other nutritional additives not listed in the annex to the Directive nor to extraction solvents exported from the EU. Member States must ensure that the use of these substances does not result in dangerous levels of extraction solvent residue in foodstuffs.

Food:

Active and Intelligent Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food, EC legislation This Regulation sets out requirements for the marketing within the European Community of active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Article 3 gives the definition of active and intelligent materials and articles. These requirements concern composition and labelling. It complements the existing Food Contact Materials legislation, which entered into force in 2004.

Transport:

Roadworthiness Tests for Motor Vehicles and their Trailers, EC legislation This Directive updates and amends Directive 96/96/EC and merges its successive amendments in order to form a single text and to harmonise the frequency of roadworthiness tests and the parts of motor vehicles which must be tested. The Directive covers the types of road vehicles to be tested and the exemptions, the vehicle parts and equipment covered by the test and the frequency of the test. General exemptions from the Directive within EU countries are also covered.

Transport:

Emission Performance Standards for New Passenger Cars, EC legislation Regulation 443/2009 seeks to limit CO2 emissions to 120 g/km for 65% of new cars in 2012, 75% in 2013, 80% in 2014 and 100% in 2015. A target of 130g/km is to be reached by improvements in vehicle motor technology. A further reduction towards the 120g/km targetis foreseen to be obtained by other technical improvements such as better tyres or the use of biofuels. The Regulations also proposes fines for carmakers that breach the limits. Between 2012 and 2018, the fines will be as follows: €5 for the first gram of CO2, €15 for the second gram, €25 for the third and €95 from the fourth gram of CO2 onwards. From 2019, manufacturers will have to pay €95 for each gram in excess of the target.

Confused about how EU legislation affects your business? Any other queries on EU affairs or trans-European matters? Take advantage of our free enquiry service: call 020 7489 1992 or email europe@londonchamber.co.uk

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Business events