Ireland, Finland, others warn on relaxing EU merger rules Finland, Ireland, the Czech Republic and two Baltic countries have warned against loosening EU merger rules in response to calls by some companies for easier regulatory scrutiny of their deals in order to better compete with non-EU rivals. Business • 24 Feb
Ireland, Finland, others warn on relaxing EU merger rules Finland, Ireland, the Czech Republic and two Baltic countries have warned against loosening EU merger rules in response to calls by some companies for easier regulatory scrutiny of their deals in order to better compete with non-EU rivals. Business • 24 Feb
EU investigation into Shein over sale of illegal products The European Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese online retail platform Shein over its addictive design and over the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material such as child-like sex dolls. Business • 17 Feb
EU investigation into Shein over sale of illegal products The European Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese online retail platform Shein over its addictive design and over the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material such as child-like sex dolls. Business • 17 Feb
EU must 'tear down barriers' to become 'global giant' The EU must "tear down the barriers" that prevent it from becoming a truly global economic giant, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said, ahead of leaders' talks on making the 27-nation bloc more competitive. Europe • 11 Feb
EU must 'tear down barriers' to become 'global giant' The EU must "tear down the barriers" that prevent it from becoming a truly global economic giant, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said, ahead of leaders' talks on making the 27-nation bloc more competitive. Europe • 11 Feb
FACTBOX - The 'Terrible 10' barriers to better EU economy European Union leaders will brainstorm tomorrow on how to help Europe compete with the US and China and become more autonomous by strengthening the bloc's economy. Business • 11 Feb
FACTBOX - The 'Terrible 10' barriers to better EU economy European Union leaders will brainstorm tomorrow on how to help Europe compete with the US and China and become more autonomous by strengthening the bloc's economy. Business • 11 Feb
EU unveils new rules to support plastic recycling The European Union has unveiled proposals to help the bloc's plastic recycling sector, which is struggling against competition from China and other parts of Asia. Business • 23 Dec 25
EU unveils new rules to support plastic recycling The European Union has unveiled proposals to help the bloc's plastic recycling sector, which is struggling against competition from China and other parts of Asia. Business • 23 Dec 25
EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban The European Commission has unveiled a plan to drop the EU's effective ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035 after pressure from the region's auto sector, marking the bloc's biggest retreat from its green policies in recent years. Business • 17 Dec 25
EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban The European Commission has unveiled a plan to drop the EU's effective ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035 after pressure from the region's auto sector, marking the bloc's biggest retreat from its green policies in recent years. Business • 17 Dec 25
EU may rethink its 2035 combustion car ban The European Commission is expected tomorrow to reverse the EU's effective ban on sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035, bowing to intense pressure from Germany, Italy and European automakers struggling against Chinese and US rivals. Business • 16 Dec 25
EU may rethink its 2035 combustion car ban The European Commission is expected tomorrow to reverse the EU's effective ban on sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035, bowing to intense pressure from Germany, Italy and European automakers struggling against Chinese and US rivals. Business • 16 Dec 25
Intel loses challenge on EU ruling, but wins reduced fine US chipmaker Intel lost its challenge against a €376m EU antitrust fine imposed two years ago for thwarting rivals but gained some solace as Europe's second-highest court slashed the penalty by a third today. Business • 10 Dec 25
Intel loses challenge on EU ruling, but wins reduced fine US chipmaker Intel lost its challenge against a €376m EU antitrust fine imposed two years ago for thwarting rivals but gained some solace as Europe's second-highest court slashed the penalty by a third today. Business • 10 Dec 25
Meta to offer choices on personal Facebook, Instagram ads Meta has committed to giving Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union a choice when it comes to personalised ads, in line with the EU's Digital Markets Act, the European Commission said today. Business • 08 Dec 25
Meta to offer choices on personal Facebook, Instagram ads Meta has committed to giving Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union a choice when it comes to personalised ads, in line with the EU's Digital Markets Act, the European Commission said today. Business • 08 Dec 25
EU fines X €120m for breaching online content rules Elon Musk's social media company X was fined €120m by EU tech regulators today for breaching EU online content rules, the first sanction under landmark legislation which will likely draw the US government's ire. Business • 05 Dec 25
EU fines X €120m for breaching online content rules Elon Musk's social media company X was fined €120m by EU tech regulators today for breaching EU online content rules, the first sanction under landmark legislation which will likely draw the US government's ire. Business • 05 Dec 25
EU unveils financial 'super-regulator' plan The European Commission has today revealed plans for a beefed-up "super-regulator" as part of an effort to unify financial markets in the hope of gaining autonomy from the US. Business • 04 Dec 25
EU unveils financial 'super-regulator' plan The European Commission has today revealed plans for a beefed-up "super-regulator" as part of an effort to unify financial markets in the hope of gaining autonomy from the US. Business • 04 Dec 25
EU to probe into Meta over use of AI in Whatsapp EU regulators launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms today over its rollout of artificial intelligence features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals, hardening Europe's already tough stance on Big Tech. Business • 04 Dec 25
EU to probe into Meta over use of AI in Whatsapp EU regulators launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms today over its rollout of artificial intelligence features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals, hardening Europe's already tough stance on Big Tech. Business • 04 Dec 25
Shein asked for information on illegal product sales The European Commission has requested Chinese online platform Shein to provide information on the sale of illegal products under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), it said in a statement today. Business • 26 Nov 25
Shein asked for information on illegal product sales The European Commission has requested Chinese online platform Shein to provide information on the sale of illegal products under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), it said in a statement today. Business • 26 Nov 25
EU Commission objects to Universal Music's Downtown deal The European Commission said today it had objected to Universal Music Group's $775m takeover of Downtown Music, out of competition concerns. Business • 24 Nov 25
EU Commission objects to Universal Music's Downtown deal The European Commission said today it had objected to Universal Music Group's $775m takeover of Downtown Music, out of competition concerns. Business • 24 Nov 25
Commission eyes measures to boost supplementary pensions The European Commission will propose measures to boost supplementary pensions amid concerns that a shrinking workforce and ageing populations will mean that national pensions will become stretched over time. Business • 20 Nov 25
Commission eyes measures to boost supplementary pensions The European Commission will propose measures to boost supplementary pensions amid concerns that a shrinking workforce and ageing populations will mean that national pensions will become stretched over time. Business • 20 Nov 25
Economy to grow 'exceptionally' by 10.7% in 2025 - EU Ireland's gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow exceptionally by 10.7% in 2025, mainly due to strong export activity in the first half of the year, the European Commission said in its Autumn 2025 Economic Forecast today. Business • 17 Nov 25
Economy to grow 'exceptionally' by 10.7% in 2025 - EU Ireland's gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow exceptionally by 10.7% in 2025, mainly due to strong export activity in the first half of the year, the European Commission said in its Autumn 2025 Economic Forecast today. Business • 17 Nov 25
Energy drink maker Red Bull hit by EU antitrust probe The EU has today announced a probe into energy drink maker Red Bull over suspicions the Austrian company abused its dominant market position and potentially forced Europeans to pay higher prices. Business • 13 Nov 25
Energy drink maker Red Bull hit by EU antitrust probe The EU has today announced a probe into energy drink maker Red Bull over suspicions the Austrian company abused its dominant market position and potentially forced Europeans to pay higher prices. Business • 13 Nov 25
EU finds Meta and TikTok in breach of transparency rules The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that both TikTok and Meta are in breach of their obligations to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Business • 24 Oct 25
EU finds Meta and TikTok in breach of transparency rules The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that both TikTok and Meta are in breach of their obligations to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Business • 24 Oct 25
App Scrap: Garmin & Strava row worrying fitness fans A legal row has broken out between Garmin and Strava - highlighting the fraught relationship that often exists between app-makers and device manufacturers, writes Adam Maguire. Business • 19 Oct 25
App Scrap: Garmin & Strava row worrying fitness fans A legal row has broken out between Garmin and Strava - highlighting the fraught relationship that often exists between app-makers and device manufacturers, writes Adam Maguire. Business • 19 Oct 25
EU reviews child safety on Snapchat, YouTube, app stores The European Commission is scrutinising safeguards for minors on Snapchat, YouTube, the Apple App Store and Google Play under its Digital Services Act, it said today. Business • 10 Oct 25
EU reviews child safety on Snapchat, YouTube, app stores The European Commission is scrutinising safeguards for minors on Snapchat, YouTube, the Apple App Store and Google Play under its Digital Services Act, it said today. Business • 10 Oct 25
European Commission appoints SumUp to VAT Expert Group The European Commission has appointed global payment service provider SumUp to a VAT Expert Group, which will advise the European Commission on VAT matters over the next three years. Business • 07 Oct 25
European Commission appoints SumUp to VAT Expert Group The European Commission has appointed global payment service provider SumUp to a VAT Expert Group, which will advise the European Commission on VAT matters over the next three years. Business • 07 Oct 25
Meta and TikTok win challenge against EU tech fees Meta Platforms and TikTok have today won a legal challenge to the way EU regulators calculated a supervisory fee imposed on them under landmark tech rules, but will receive no money back while officials reformulate the levy. Business • 10 Sep 25
Meta and TikTok win challenge against EU tech fees Meta Platforms and TikTok have today won a legal challenge to the way EU regulators calculated a supervisory fee imposed on them under landmark tech rules, but will receive no money back while officials reformulate the levy. Business • 10 Sep 25
Zalando loses EU court battle over online content rules Fashion retailer Zalando lost a court battle against EU online content rules today, boosting EU tech regulators' efforts to force online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Business • 03 Sep 25
Zalando loses EU court battle over online content rules Fashion retailer Zalando lost a court battle against EU online content rules today, boosting EU tech regulators' efforts to force online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Business • 03 Sep 25
EU chief's plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming The European Commission has confirmed that President von der Leyen's plane was subject to suspected Russian GPS jamming as it attempted to land in Bulgaria yesterday. Europe • 01 Sep 25
EU chief's plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming The European Commission has confirmed that President von der Leyen's plane was subject to suspected Russian GPS jamming as it attempted to land in Bulgaria yesterday. Europe • 01 Sep 25
EU wine, spirits to face 15% US tariff from August 1 European wine and spirits will face a 15% US import tariff until a different deal is agreed in talks expected to continue in the autumn, the European Commission and EU diplomats said today, dashing producers' hopes of an immediate reprieve. Business • 31 Jul 25
EU wine, spirits to face 15% US tariff from August 1 European wine and spirits will face a 15% US import tariff until a different deal is agreed in talks expected to continue in the autumn, the European Commission and EU diplomats said today, dashing producers' hopes of an immediate reprieve. Business • 31 Jul 25
