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EU news and funding bulletin - 23 January 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

Audiovisual sector

Media 2007 funds business in the audiovisual sector for:

development of interactive products including computer, internet and mobile phone games, due 17 April 2009
development of a film (animation and fiction) and /or documentary, due 17 April 2009
contributing to costs of insurance, completion guarantees and bank financing for an audiovisual work, due 7 July 2009

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

Research & Innovation

FP7 supports collaborative projects undertaking technology research and development in:

Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies (NMP)
- Small or medium-scale focused research projects, due 17 February 2009
- SME-targeted Collaborative Projects, due 17 February 2009
- EU-Russia, due 31 March 2009
- NMP and Environment, due 31 March 2009
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), due 01 April 2009
Energy, due 29 April 2009
ICT and Energy Joint Call, due 31 March 2009

For further information contact fp7@gle.co.uk

Read detailed briefings relating to funding for research and development.

Transport

Grants to actions in support of the development of sustainable urban mobility projects, deadline 31 March 2009.

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

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EU press releases

Agriculture: Simplified legislation on Plant Protection Products proposed
Economy: Economic forecast for 2009-2010
Employment: Right to paid annual leave for workers on sick leave proposed
Energy: Council adopts common positions on the Internal Energy Market Package
Energy: European demand for oil must be reduced by over 50% by 2050
Financial Services: Launch of European Database for Financial Education
Funding: €15 million to support cooperation between film-makers
Funding: European funding for the integration of third country nationals in the UK
Technology: Urban Atlas – digital mapping for Europe
Trade Policy: EU prepares WTO action over US trade sanctions law
Transport: Political agreement on Road Transport Package
Transport: Steps taken towards a European Maritime Transport area

Read more EU press releases

EU legislation and consultations

Agriculture:

Food colourings, additives, enzymes and flavourings Directive 2008/128/EC lays down specific purity criteria concerning colours for use in foodstuffs. This Directive intends to clarify the rules, since previous legislation has been substantially amended several times before. Regulation 1331/2008 establishes a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings. By harmonising rules on the assessment and authorisation of these substances, the Commission intends to safeguard the free movement of safe and wholesome food.

Labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten, EC legislation The Commission has adopted EU rules for the composition and labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten. The food industry has developed a range of products presented as ‘gluten-free’ or similar equivalent terms. This new legislation will harmonise the labelling requirements for these products and ensure that European consumers are protected equally in all Member States.

Aviation:

New rules will modernise air traffic management (ATM) systems, EC legislation The Commission has adopted new rules for the use of data link services in European sky. The new technology significantly improves communication between air traffic controllers and pilots through supplementing voice communications with an air ground data link. Expected results include more than 10% increase in airspace capacity. Safety will also be improved by reducing misunderstandings between pilots and controllers. New aircraft will be equipped with the new technology from January 2011; existing aircraft from February 2015.

Consumers:

EU safety standard for baby walkers, EC legislation The Commission has adopted a standard for baby walkers which will help to prevent infant accidents. Research identifies baby walkers as the cause of more injuries to children than any other nursery product, and hospital emergency data confirms that it is a hazard. The standard introduces a requirement for manufacturers to carry out stability tests and to use designs that reduce the risk of injuries. The standard will also provide all market operators and surveillance authorities with access to clear instructions for making, importing or checking baby walkers for safety.

Environment:

Consultation on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, BERR consultation The WEE Directive aims to minimise the impact of waste electrical and electronic equipment by encouraging its reuse, recycling and recovery. BERR has proposed a number of revisions to the UK legislation implementing the Directive, and is now seeking opinions on the proposals. The revisions are intended to increase the effectiveness of the legislation by improving the Producer Compliance Scheme approval process. They also seek to simplify evidence requirements which will reduce administrative burdens on businesses. Views are sought on these proposals as well as on other measures such as the collection of WEEE from collection facilities and available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques.

Finance:

Public consultation on the Prospectus Directive, EC consultation The Prospectus Directive aims to ensure that investors are provided with clear and comprehensive information when making investment decisions. The Commission is currently reviewing the Directive and has put forward proposals aiming to improve and simplify the rules in order to reduce the administrative burdens on EU companies. The Commission now seeks opinions on the overall functioning of the Directive as well as comments on specific elements identified as creating unnecessary burdens for companies. Contributions are particularly sought from SMEs, investors, consumers, issuers of securities, financial institutions and public authorities.

Internal market:

Harmonised rules on excise duty, EC legislation Directive 2008/118/EC concerning the general arrangements for excise duty is intended to ensure that the rules are the same in all Member States. In particular, the new Directive clarifies when excise goods are released for consumption and who the person liable to pay the excise duty is. Excise goods affected by the directive are energy products and electricity, alcohol and manufactured tobacco.

Transport:

Recyclability of motor vehicles, EC legislation Directive 2009/1/EC amends Directive 2005/64/EC on the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their reusability, recyclability and recoverability. The Directive establishes detailed rules enabling manufacturers to verify the recyclability of the materials used for the construction of a vehicle. It also ensures that competent authorities can verify contractual arrangements between the vehicle manufacturer and his suppliers. The vehicle manufacturer is required, through contractual agreements with his suppliers, to demonstrate compliance with the rules.

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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