European Commission MEMO Brussels, 19 June 2013 A new law to guarantee the rights of all citizens to be advised by a lawyer when facing criminal proceedings in the European Union moved a step closer to adoption today after a vote by the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 19 June 2013 The EU's Council of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Ministers will meet to discuss employment, social policy and health on 20-21 June in Luxembourg under the Irish Presidency chairmanship of Joan Burton, Minister for Social Protection, Richard Bruton, Minister for...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice Press Conference, EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial /Dublin 14 June 2013 Ladies and Gentlemen, As you know, earlier this week I sent a series of very detailed questions to Attorney General Holder about the media...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 13 June 2013 The European Union and the United States will meet in Dublin on 13-14 June to discuss issues of common interest in the field of justice and home affairs. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding will represent the European Commission, while the Irish Minister of...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 12 June 2013 On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour (12 June), High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Employment,...

European Press release Strasbourg, 11 June 2013 Commission The European Commission has today set out a series of common, non-binding principles for collective redress mechanisms in the Member States so that citizens and companies can enforce the rights granted to them under EU law where these have been infringed.

European Commission MEMO Strasbourg, 11 June 2013 What is collective redress? Collective redress is a procedural mechanism which allows for reasons of procedural economy and/or efficiency of enforcement, many single claims (relating to the same case) to be bundled into a single court action.

Please note that the deadline for this call for proposals is 10/09/2013 12:00 (noon) CET.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice ViceVice Justice Council Press Conference/Luxembourg 6 June 2013 Data Protection Reform This is the last Justice Council under the Irish Presidency.

Press release Brussels, 6 June 2013 European Commission The European Commission has today paved the way for a new pilot project to improve communication between the European institutions and the deaf and hard of hearing. Today’s financing decision means the pilot project, for which the European Parliament has allocated a...

European Commission Press release Luxembourg, 6 June 2013 Victims of violence, in particular domestic violence, will soon be able to count on EU-wide protection, following today's adoption of a European Commission proposal by Justice Ministers from the EU Member States.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 5 June 2013 European Union Justice and Home Affairs ministers will meet in Luxembourg on 6 and 7 June 2013. The European Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice and Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech: Third annual conference on missing children and 116000 hotlines Brussels, 4 June 2013 MAIN MESSAGES In 2011, a quarter of a million cases of missing children were officially reported in the EU.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 3 June 2013 1. Barcelona Targets What are the so-called 'Barcelona targets'? In March 2002 the European Council, meeting in Barcelona, agreed common targets to improve the provision of childcare in the Member States.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 3 June 2013 Member States will need to step up their efforts to improve childcare provisions if the EU is to reach its 75% employment rate target by 2020, said the European Commission in a report released today.

A Commission report on the Barcelona objectives shows that most EU countries have missed the targets agreed by the European Council in 2002 for availability and accessibility of childcare services. The reports demonstrates that investment in high quality services must be continued.

Women receive average pensions which are 39% lower compared to those of men. This report develops a new indicator for gender equality, the "Gender Pension Gap" which, together with the "Gender Pay Gap", helps to assess the magnitude of gender inequality in the course of people’s lives.

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MEMO Brussels, 30 May 2013 European Commission The European Commission has welcomed progress on a proposal to make life easier for citizens and businesses in the European Union’s Single Market, following a vote today in the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI).

European MEMO Brussels, 28 May 2013 Commission A European Commission proposal to guarantee the rights of all citizens to be advised by a lawyer when facing criminal proceedings moved a step closer to agreement today, after a breakthrough in negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding Vice-President for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship From vision to action: putting citizens at the heart of Europe The Bridge Forum Dialogue /Luxembourg 24 May 2013 Main Messages [J]ustice for citizens was the "Cinderella" of EU law.

The study, entitled 'The role of men in gender equality – European strategies and insights' has been published. The study presents conclusions and recommendations, as well as some guiding principles on how to develop policies to improve the role of men in gender equality.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 24 May 2013 Ahead of International Missing Children’s Day (25 May), European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner said: "As every year, the European Commission is supporting International Missing Children Day to make sure we remember children who have gone missing, today and on...

European Commission MEMO Strasbourg, 22 May 2013 Victims of violence, in particular domestic violence, will soon be able to count on EU-wide protection, after the European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority (602 votes in favour, 23 against, 63 abstentions) to endorse the European Commission's proposal for an EU-wide protection...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech: NATO Parliamentary Assembly/Luxembourg 19 May 2013 The Internet is the infrastructure of the modern age. It accounted for more than 20% of GDP growth in the world’s major economies over the last five years.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech - 1st International IDAHO Forum/Brussels 9 May 2013 Dear Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy to be with you here today to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) takes place every year to draw attention to the discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people can face.

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MEMO Brussels, 15 May 2013 European Commission European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding (Justice, Citizenship and Fundamental Rights) and Commissioner László Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) will today meet with civil society organisations to discuss Roma integration in Europe.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 14 May 2013 Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, met with Markus Klimmer, Managing Director at Accenture, today to discuss how best to improve gender balance on company boards.

The 2012 annual report on 'Progress on equality between women and men' has just been released. Based on recent evidence and new data, it takes stock of major policy developments during the last year. The report illustrates some of the many ways in which the EU and its Member States have promoted gender equality.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner EU EU Press Conference/Brussels 8 May 2013 2013 is the European Year of Citizens. But it takes more than just a year to tear down barriers for our citizens. It takes concrete actions.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 8 May 2013 What are fundamental rights? The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights sets out a series of individual rights and freedoms. It entrenches the rights developed in the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU, found in the European Convention on Human...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 8 May 2013 Three years after it became legally binding, the impact of the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights is increasingly clear. It is becoming a point of reference not only for the EU institutions when drawing up legislation but also for the European...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 8 May 2013 What is EU citizenship? European Union citizenship is not just a concept, but a practical reality that brings tangible benefits to all of us. EU citizenship and the rights that go with it, such as the right to free movement, are key pillars...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 8 May 2013 The European Commission has today unveiled a new push to reinforce EU citizens’ rights with a series of actions to tackle obstacles that citizens still face in their everyday life.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 3 May 2013 As the debate about the future of Europe and the consequences of the economic crisis is gathering pace, the European Commission is reaching out to different European towns to listen to citizens, their concerns and hopes for the future.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 3 May 2013 9 May is Europe Day. This should be more than just a day of celebration for citizens. Therefore, already on Saturday 4 May the Commission, along with the other EU institutions, will open its doors to citizens.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 1 May 2013 Today, Mr Ognian Zlatev takes office as the new Head of the European Commission's Representation in Sofia. Mr Zlatev has been working since 2011 as Head of Communication at the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

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European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech: Press room statement/Brussels 24 April 2013 Today, within the European Union, people can move around freely. They study, live or work abroad in the EU. Companies also move and operate cross-border.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 24 April 2013 Today the European Commission is proposing to slash red tape for citizens and businesses by doing away with bureaucratic rubber-stamping exercises currently required to get public documents like your birth certificate recognised as authentic in another EU Member State.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 24 April 2013 Why is the Commission proposing this Regulation? The proposal aims to slash costs and lengthy procedures caused by bureaucratic formalities that today require citizens and businesses to prove that their public documents (such as birth or legal status certificate) as issued by their...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 23 March 2013 Both the United Kingdom and Ireland have announced their decision to join the Commission’s proposal to modernise current EU rules on cross border insolvency, which date from 2000.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech: General Affairs Council/Luxembourg 22 April 2013 Main Messages What we are lacking is a better developed set of instruments to fill the gaps between the "soft power" of political persuasion, the role of the Commission as the...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner EP Plenary/Strasbourg 17 April 2013 President, Minister, Honourable Members, I want to thank the President for holding this debate today on a subject which is attracting a great deal of attention.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice Speech: EPP Group Session: 'Exploiting the potential of the single market', Dubrovnik, Croatia 12 April 2013 The Single Market is the crown jewel of the European Union.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 8 April 2013 To mark International Roma Day, the European Commission has underlined the need for further efforts by the Member States to improve the situation for Roma communities in Europe.

There is a steady decline in the number of people voting in EU elections. This Euronews 'Right On' episode looks at the participation of EU citizens and the recommendations of the European Commission.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 4 April 2013 European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding and United States Attorney General Eric Holder met today in Washington. They had cordial discussions on a wide range of fields of collaboration between the Department of Justice and the European Commission.

Find out more about so-called 'unfair commercial practices' and how to avoid them in this Euronews edition of 'Right On'.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner SPEECH - Press Conference /Brussels 27 March 2013 Effective Justice Systems and Economic Growth I am here today to present a new tool that the Commission has just adopted.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 27 March 2013 What is the European Semester? The European Commission has set up a yearly cycle of economic policy coordination called the European Semester. Each year the European Commission undertakes a detailed analysis of EU Member States' programmes of economic and structural reforms and provides...

The European Commission has today unveiled a new comparative tool to promote effective justice in the European Union and thereby reinforce economic growth.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission SPEECH - European Voice event/Brussels 26 March 2013 Main Messages of the Speech 1/ On timing: We are moving forward at full speed. It is in the coming months that policy-makers will make a decision on the data protection law that...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 26 March 2013 In the margins of an event on the EU data protection reform, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner will meet Ronan Dunne, CEO of Telefónica UK to discuss the importance of the Commission’s proposed reform of EU data protection rules (see IP/12/46...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice Speech: Citizens' Dialogue/Thessaloniki, Greece 22 March 2013 I have come to Thessaloniki to listen to you and to talk with you. This is the European Year of Citizens.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 21 March 2013 As the debate about the future of Europe and the consequences of the economic crisis is gathering pace, the European Commission is reaching out to different European towns to listen to citizens, their concerns and hopes for the future.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice Speech: CRIM Special Committee, European Parliament/Brussels 19 March 2013 Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen; A new criminal landscape is emerging in Europe.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 19 March 2013 The European Commission today welcomed the adoption of an opinion by the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) on the Commission’s proposal for a Data Protection Regulation reforming the EU’s data protection rules that date back to 1995 (see IP/12/46 and IP/13/57).

European Press release Brussels, 19 March 2013 Commission The European Commission has today launched a public consultation on how to improve access to justice for consumers and small businesses in small-scale cross-border disputes.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Commissioner for Justice European Consumer Summit 2013/Brussels 19 March 2013 Main Messages Why consumer protection matters – especially in times of crisis: Europe's citizens are also Europe's consumers. They are entitled to have their rights respected.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 18 March 2013 Today, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Othmar Karas, Vice-President of the European Parliament launched a new generation of "Europe Direct Information Centres".

European Commission Press release Brussels, 15 March 2013 14 EU Ministers and State secretaries in charge of consumer affairs will join the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs, Tonio Borg, as well as some 450 stakeholders representing consumer and business associations, enforcement and regulatory authorities and European Consumer Centres,...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 14 March 2013 Brussels, 14 March 2013 – Today, the European Commission outlined a series of actions to tackle aggressive commercial practices across the EU such as fake ‘free’ offers, ‘bait and switch’ advertising for products which cannot be supplied, and exhortation of children.

Study shows that the economic crisis is expected to have an impact on the drugs market. 

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 12 March 2013 Under a recommendation adopted by the European Commission today, political parties should nominate a candidate for European Commission President in the next European elections (2014) and they should display their European political party affiliation.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Press conference/Strasbourg 12 March 2013 I am happy to be here today with my colleague Maroš to present today's Commission recommendations to make the upcoming European elections more democratic.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, Justice Commissioner Justice Council/Brussels 8 March 2013 On timing: A lot of ground has been covered in only 8 weeks. The first reading of the Regulation was completed in January – all its 91 articles.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 7 March 2013 On the eve of Internation Women's Day, Vice-President Viviane Reding said: "Five decades of European Union action have advanced gender equality on our continent. We have developed laws guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, equality in the workplace and minimum rights to maternity...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 7 March 2013 Main agenda items: Reform of EU data protection rules Protecting the euro against counterfeiting through criminal law European Protection Order in civil matters Lunch debate on the European Justice Scoreboard 1.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission Speech: 2nd Annual Cloud Computing Conference/Brussels 7 March 2013 Main Messages of the Speech 1/ On timing: We are at the heart of the negotiations on the legislative proposals [on data protection]. The Irish Presidency is pushing the file forwards.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 7 March 2013 Today, at a joint working breakfast ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, and, Hans-Peter Friedrich, the German Interior Minister, reaffirmed their shared objective of a reform of European data protection rules.

Brussels, 06 March 2013 - European Commission calls for zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM).

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 26 February 2013 The EU Justice Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, and the German Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Ilse Aigner, described the planned EU General Data Protection Regulation as a ‘historic opportunity’ to modernise existing data protection rules and bring them into the...

Commission européenne MEMO Bruxelles, 4 mars 2013 Marie-Arlette Carlotti, ministre française déléguée aux personnes handicapées et à la lutte contre l’exclusion et Viviane Reding, vice-présidente de la Commission européenne en charge de la justice, des droits fondamentaux et de la citoyenneté, se sont rencontrées à Bruxelles le lundi 4 mars 2013.

A new brochure explains what the gender pay gap is, its causes, and why closing it makes sense for both businesses and society in general. Key figures on equality between men and women in work are also provided, as well as information on the EU's work to tackle the pay gap and examples of national good practices.

women still earn 16.2% less than men.  Equal pay is not only fair – it makes sound business sense too.  Read how “ Equality pays off    ” for business.  

The Commission will host a workshop on 1^st March on misleading marketing practices affecting businesses and on the application and review of the Misleading and Comparative Advertising Directive 2006/114/EC.

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The Commission has issued a comprehensive recommendation for tackling and preventing disadvantage to children at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 20 February 2013 The European Commission today welcomed the adoption of an opinion by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) on the Commission’s proposals to reform the EU’s data protection rules which date back to 1995 (see IP/12/46 and IP/13/57).

European MEMO Brussels, 20 February 2013 Commission The European Commission welcomes the draft report from the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) backing optional EU-wide rules for businesses and consumers who are concluding contracts in the Single Market.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 February 2013 As the debate about the future of Europe is gathering pace, the European Commission is reaching out to different European towns asking citizens directly for their views.

European MEMO Brussels, 19 February 2013 Commission Victims of violence, in particular domestic violence, will be able to count on EU-wide protection. Today, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers reached a political agreement on a proposal by the European Commission for an EU-wide protection order.

European Commission Viviane Reding European Commission Vice-President responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Hearing at the European Parliament: "Making the most of EU citizenship"/Brussels 19 February 2013 Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here with you today.

Commission Press release Brussels, 19 February 2013 European 20 years after the birth of EU citizenship Europeans are broadly aware of their rights, but do not always know what these entail, according to a new Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission today.

New "Right on" episode on Racism and Xenophobia

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 11 February 2013 Today, Vice-President Viviane Reding is meeting Luigi Gambardella, chairman of ETNO, who represents the leading telecommunications network operators in Europe to discuss the EU Data Protection rules proposed by the European Commission in January 2012 (see IP/12/46 and IP/13/57).

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 6 February 2013 On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (6 February 2013) High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, Development Commissioner...

The proposed General Data Protection Regulation    establishes a system of consistency and simplicity.

The main innovations of the proposed General Data Protection Regulation    relate to the institutional system it creates rather than to the substance of data protection law. The consistency mechanism is at the heart of this system.

European Commission MEMO Strasbourg, 5 February 2013 Questions and Answers: Why do we need to protect the euro and other currencies? Counterfeiting of the euro and other currencies remains a concern throughout the European Union. The euro is particularly susceptible to counterfeiting on a transnational scale.

Press release Strasbourg, 5 February 2013 European Commission The European Commission has today proposed to crack down on criminals who counterfeit euro notes and coins. Counterfeiting of the euro is estimated to have cost at least €500 million since the currency was introduced in 2002.

European Press release Brussels, 31 January 2013 Commission The European Commission is set to examine barriers to cross-border trade in insurance products caused by different contract laws in the EU’s Member States, after today launching a call for experts to look into the problem.

European Press release Brussels, 31 January 2013 Commission The European Commission today proposed an EU-wide ban on ‘4-MA’, a synthetic substance with similar physical effects to amphetamines. The Commission asked EU Member States to prevent the drug spreading freely across Europe by submitting it to control measures.

By Decision 2013/C 16/03 of 17 January 2013 (the Decision), the Commission set up an Expert Group on a European Insurance Contract Law (Expert Group). The Commission is calling for applications with a view to selecting members of this Expert Group.

European Commission Viviane Reding European Commission Vice-President responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Speech: Holocaust Remembrance Day Brussels ,28 January 2013 Monsieur le Président du Conseil Constitutionnel, Dear Mrs Pollak-Kinsky, Ladies and Gentlemen, We are here today to remember. We are here today to learn.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 28 January 2013 What is the RAN? The Radicalisation Awareness Network, launched in September 2011, is an umbrella network connecting people involved in preventing radicalisation and violent extremism throughout Europe.

Commission Press release Brussels, 28 January 2013 European One year ago, ahead of the European Data Protection Day 2012, the European Commission proposed a root and branch reform of the EU’s data protection rules to make them fit for the 21st century (IP/12/46).

European Commission Memo Brussels, 28 January 2013 The European Commission will this week meet with consumer groups and business leaders in the travel industry to discuss the review of the current EU legislation on package holidays. The 1990 Package Travel Directive protects European consumers booking pre-arranged package holidays.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 28 January 2013 One year ago, the European Commission presented a comprehensive reform of the EU's 1995 data protection rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe's digital economy (IP/12/46).

La Commission européenne a dévoilé aujourd'hui un nouvel Eurobaromètre sur la discrimination dans l'Union européenne.

Grâce aux nouvelles règles que propose la Commission européenne en cette Journée internationale des personnes handicapées, il devrait dorénavant être plus facile pour plus de 100 millions de personnes dans l'UE d'utiliser les services publics en ligne pour chercher un emploi, faire immatriculer un véhicule, déposer une déclaration fiscale et introduire une demande de passeport ou de permis de conduire.

The Commission has released mid-term figures on the share of women on boards in publicly listed companies. An increase has been recorded in all but three EU countries.

European Commission Press release Davos, 25 January 2013 Today the Commission released mid-term figures on the share of women on boards in publicly listed companies. The new figures show an increase in the number of women on boards to 15.8%, up from 13.7% in January 2012.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 24 January 2013 The European Commission decided today to refer the Netherlands to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not adequately protecting the rights of employees on maternity, adoption or parental leave related to their return to work.

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Euronews episode of 'Right on' looks at the gap between the European Union and its citizens and how the European Commission is trying to close it.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the Commission, European Justice Commissioner Press Conference, Informal Justice Council /Dublin 18 January 2013 Today, we have had a very important discussion on how justice policies can help to reinforce stability, jobs and growth in Europe – the Justice for Growth agenda.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 16 January 2013 European Union Justice ministers will meet in Dublin on 18 January 2013. The Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner.

European MEMO Brussels, 10 January 2013 Commission European Parliament rapporteurs today presented two draft reports on the reform of the EU's data protection rules proposed by the European Commission just a year ago (see IP/12/46 and MEMO/12/41).

How to save the concept of internet privacy, without putting the brakes on new technology and services.

Press release Brussels, 1 January 2013 European Commission As we enter into 2013, the European Commission kicks off the European Year of Citizens, a year dedicated to you and to your rights. This European Year comes at a critical juncture in European integration - 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of...

As we enter into 2013, the European Commission kicks off the European Year of Citizens, a year dedicated to you and to your rights. This European Year comes at a critical juncture in European integration.

Press release Brussels, 21 December 2012 European Commission Ferran Tarradellas Espuny will take up office as Head of the European Commission Regional Office in Barcelona on 1 January 2013. Mr. Tarradellas joined the European Commission in 2000 initially working as a media contact in the Directorate General for Energy and...

European Commission Memo Brussels, 20 December 2012 Today, the EU Council of Ministers has adopted a European Commission proposal to make it easier for EU citizens living in another Member State to stand as candidates in the 2014 European Parliament elections.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 December 2012 According to the latest survey results, a large majority of Europeans (85%) think that EU Member States will have to work more closely together to tackle the crisis.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 December 2012 Brussels, 20 December 2012 – Under new rules which enter force tomorrow, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 20 December 2012 What will change on 21 December? From 21 December 2012, insurance companies in the European Union will have to charge the same price to men and women for the same insurance products, without distinction on the grounds of sex.

Under new rules which are entering into force, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 December 2012 Brussels, 19 December 2012 – The European Commission has today formally recognised the adequacy of personal data protection in New Zealand, opening the way for increased trade with the European Union.

Press release Brussels, 19 December 2012 European Commission Jacqueline Minor has been appointed as Head of Representation in the United Kingdom. She will take office on 16 February 2013. Having worked as Director for Consumer Affairs in DG Health and Consumers for the last five years, Mrs Minor is an...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the Commission, European Justice Commissioner Speech - CCBE debate on the proposed Common European Sales Law / Brussels 17 December 2012 Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you very much for inviting me to speak to you today.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech - Press Conference: Modern insolvency rules to give businesses a second chance / Strasbourg 12 December 2012 I am here today to tell you about a proposal which the Commission has just adopted which will bring relief...

European Commission Press release Strasbourg, 12 December 2012 Today the European Business Schools Women on Boards Initiative is migrating their 'Global Board Ready Women' list of 8 000 women into an online database. The women on this list all fulfil stringent criteria for Corporate Governance as defined by publicly listed...

Businesses hit by the economic crisis will be thrown a lifeline under a new proposal from the European Commission to modernise Europe’s rules on cross-border business insolvency, helping to give otherwise viable businesses a ‘second chance’.

Debt recovery and Small Claims procedure in Europe

Succession laws in Europe

European insolvency laws are under review

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 7 December 2012 In the recent LIBOR scandal, serious concerns have been raised about the manipulation of benchmarks, which can result in significant losses to consumers and investors, or distort the real economy.

On 25 January 2012, the Commission presented its data protection reform proposal. It sparked an intense, vibrant, fascinating debate. Here's what the reform does and does not do. It's important not to get side-tracked.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech - Fundamental Rights Conference 2012 / Brussels 6 December 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be with you for this year's Fundamental Rights Conference, hosted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

European Commission Press Release Brussels, 6 December 2012 Businesses and consumers will be able to resolve cross-border legal disputes more easily, thanks to a reform adopted by European justice ministers today. Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, welcomed the adoption by the Council of the reformed rules to...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 5 December 2012 European Union Justice and Home Affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on 6 and 7 December 2012. The Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission Centrum für Europarecht an der University Passau / Passau 8 November 2012 “If you really want sound budgetary policies over the long term, you need a European finance minister answerable to the European Parliament and with clear rights to intervene vis-à-vis...

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner 3rd Annual European Data Protection and Privacy Conference /Brussels 4 December 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, 1995 was a long time ago. In terms of digital technologies, a different age. Since then, the internet has blossomed.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission European Commissioner for Justice Speech - Federation of German Industries event at the Representation of the Land Baden-Württemberg to the European Union / Brussels 27 November 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able to speak to you...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 3 December 2012 Brussels, 3 December 2012 – Today European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding has handed the Access City Award 2013 to the city of Berlin. The prize has been awarded in recognition of Berlin's comprehensive and strategic approach to creating an accessible city for...

The prize has been awarded in recognition of Berlin's comprehensive and strategic approach to creating an accessible city for all.

Commission Press release Brussels, 30 November 2012 European Brussels, 30 November 2012 – Europeans strongly believe that disabled people should be able to participate fully in society, according to a new survey by the European Commission released ahead of the European Day for People with Disabilities on 3 December.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Forum of the Committee of the Regions / Brussels 28 November 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here with you today to discuss the European Year of Citizens 2013.

Euronews right on episode on efforts to make European cities more accessible.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Speech - Press Conference / Brussels 27 November 2012 Every day in Europe hundreds of small businesses fall victim to marketing scams.

The European Commission outlined a series of actions to tackle marketing scams, such as those of misleading directory companies.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 27 November 2012 What is a marketing practice? A marketing practice is any representation or communication made by a trader in order to promote goods and services. It can be a TV commercial or press article, information on the website, an e-mail, or even direct marketing...

European Commission Ms Viviane Reding Vice-President, Member of the Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Women's Finance Forum / Hamburg 15 November 2012 Key statements: We did it: yesterday, the European Commission made gender equality history.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 24 November 2012 Ahead of the International Day for Eliminating Violence against Women (25 November 2012), Vice-President Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner made the following statement: “Across Europe, around 1 in 5 women have suffered physical violence at least once in their lives and 1 in...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 23 November 2012 2013 has been officially named "The European Year of Citizens". 20 years after the introduction of EU Citizenship, the year will focus both on what has already been achieved for citizens and on meeting citizens' expectations for the future.

The European Commission releases today a new Eurobarometer on discrimination in the European Union.

Commission MEMO Strasbourg, 20 November 2012 European The European Commission's proposals to help businesses and consumers resolve cross-border legal disputes more easily received the support of the European Parliament today.

Commission Press release Brussels, 20 November 2012 European It will now be easier for EU citizens living in another Member State to stand as candidates in the 2014 European Parliament elections, following a vote on a European Commission proposal in the European Parliament today.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 November 2012 Tomorrow, the European Commission will confirm Lithuania's decision to join the enhanced cooperation procedure allowing international couples to select which country's law would apply to their divorce and legal separation.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission Speech to the Swiss Bankers' Association / Zurich 16 November 2012 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour to have been invited to speak at this symposium marking one hundred years of the Swiss Bankers' Association.

European MEMO Brussels, 19 November 2012 Commission Today the Commission adopted a recommendation that will allow it to negotiate the modernisation of Convention 108, the Council of Europe's convention on data protection, on behalf of the European Union.

European Commission Viviane Reding Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner Press Conference /Brussels 14 November 2012 Today is a historic day for gender equality! After decades of empty promises and failed attempts at self-regulation, we still have an effective 85% male quota on the supervisory boards of Europe's...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 14 November 2012 Today the European Commission has taken action to break the glass ceiling that continues to bar female talent from top positions in Europe’s biggest companies. The Commission has proposed legislation with the aim of attaining a 40% objective of the under-represented sex...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 14 November 2012 Why do we need legislation to improve the gender balance on the boards of listed companies? At present, 91.1% of executive board members, 85% of non-executive board members and 96.8% of the boardroom chairs are men, while women make up 8.9%, 15% and...

Today the European Commission has taken action to break the glass ceiling that continues to bar female talent from top positions in Europe’s biggest companies. The Commission has proposed legislation with the aim of attaining a 40% objective of the under-represented sex in non-executive board-member positions in publicly listed companies, with the exception of small and medium enterprises. Currently, boards are dominated by one gender: 85% of non-executive board members and 91.1% of executive board members are men, while women make up 15% and 8.9% respectively.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 13 November 2012 A new European law to improve rights for an estimated 75 million crime victims across the European Union each year will be published in the Official Journal – the EU's statute book – tomorrow.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 6 November 2012 On the request of the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union today ruled that the abrupt and radical lowering of the retirement age for judges, prosecutors and notaries in Hungary violates EU equal treatment rules (Directive 2000/78/EC).

Regional Court of Antwerp won the the 2012 European Crystal Scales of Justice prize for innovative court practices. The prize was awarded in Vilnius, marking the European Day of Civil Justice, in presence of the Minister of Justice of Lithuania. The jury examined 38 applications from some 18 European States.

European Commission Today we had a very constructive Justice Council meeting. I would like to thank the Cypriot Presidency for all their hard work over the past four months in helping to move our 'Justice for Growth' proposals forward.

Strengthening mutual trust in the European judicial area - A Green Paper on the application of EU criminal justice legislation in the field of detention.

The summary of replies (221 KB)     has been published.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 24 October 2012 European Union Justice and Home Affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on 25 and 26 October 2012. The Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for...

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The EP's Legal Affairs Committee voted to back the reform of rules to determine which national court has jurisdiction in cross-border cases and how court judgements issued in one EU country are recognised and enforced in another.

Commission MEMO Brussels, 11 October 2012 European European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, today welcomed a vote by the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) to support her proposals to help businesses and consumers resolve cross-border legal disputes more easily.

European Commission Ladies and gentlemen, To talk about women on boards is very much en vogue these days. Discussions around that theme often turn out to become passionate or ideological. That is why it might be interesting to look back and trace the origins of today’s debates.

European Commission Press release Luxembourg, 4 October 2012 European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, today welcomed the final adoption of a new European law which will improve rights for an estimated 75 million crime victims across the EU each year.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 2 October 2012 Four months after the European Commission's first report on the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies (see IP/12/499), a network of coordinators responsible for the national Roma integration strategies from the EU's 27 Member States is today meeting in Brussels to discuss...

An estimated one million children go missing every year in the European Union. Some cases receive a lot of media attention; others become a lonely struggle for families desperate for help.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 27 September 2012 The European Commission decided today to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union for hindering the right to free movement of children born in Belgium who have one Belgian parent and one parent of another EU Member State...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 27 September 2012 The European Commission is referring Cyprus and the Netherlands to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to notify national measures to implement EU rules easing access to justice in cross-border legal disputes.

Euronews episode of Right on takes a look at online shopping: Less than one in ten Europeans buy online from other EU countries. For both consumers and sellers, the process is simply too complicated... To boost cross-border trade, cut costs and give customers greater choice, the EU has drafted a Common European Sales Law.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 21 September 2012 Hunting for cross-border bargains is a way for consumers to get the 'best deal' across the EU's internal market. Shopping online makes these bargains ever more accessible.

"Nous, Européens, devrions nous unir en ce jour pour nous souvenir de toutes les victimes des régimes totalitaires et de ceux qui les ont combattus." Tel était le message de la commissaire européenne à la justice, Viviane Reding, à l'occasion de la journée européenne de commémoration des victimes de tous les régimes totalitaires et autoritaires. Ce jour marque l'anniversaire du 23 août 1939, date de la signature d'un pacte qui a bouleversé l'histoire, entre l'Allemagne nazie d'Hitler et l'Union soviétique de Staline.

European Commission MEMO Strasbourg, 12 September 2012 European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, today welcomed a vote by the European Parliament to back a new law improving rights for crime victims across the EU.

The Euronews episode of Right On focuses on victims' rights in the EU: Efforts are underway in Europe to make sure that victims do not also become victims of the system.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 31 August 2012 Over 8404 EU-citizens have already had their say on the future of Europe by participating in the broad web-based consultation on citizens' rights and the future of Europe launched by the European Commission – the latest figures released today show.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 17 August 2012 So far, over 5,500 EU-citizens have participated in one of the broadest web based consultations in the EU's history on citizens' rights and the future of Europe – the latest Commission figures released today show.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 June 2012 Today, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding met with European Industry Associations, European Business Schools and Senior Executive Women to discuss progress being made on improving the gender balance in company boardrooms.

European Commission Background LIBOR scandal: why are we acting? These days we are again dealing with the effects of potentially criminal misconduct in the financial markets. This time it is about interest rate-rigging by banks.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 25 July 2012 In the recent LIBOR scandal, serious concerns have been raised about false submissions of banks' estimated interbank lending rates. Any actual or attempted manipulation of such key benchmarks can have a serious impact on market integrity, and could result in significant losses...

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 10 July 2012 With the holiday season already starting and millions of Europeans intending on travelling within and outside the European Union, there are certain travel considerations that every European should be aware of.

European Commission How has society changed as the world is becoming more digital? – This is the central question of this year's DLD Women conference. Data is racing ever faster, we grow ever closer together. Totally connected, we live in a global village where technical standards are becoming more similar...

European Commission Press release Brussels, 11 July 2012 Misuse of EU funds for criminal purposes puts the EU's objectives of generating jobs and growth and improving living conditions at stake. With public finances under pressure throughout the EU, every euro counts.

European Commission Today I am here with my colleague Algirdas, the EU’s anti-fraud Commissioner, to present the new EU rules that the Commission has just adopted to better equip us to fight against fraud damaging the EU budget.

Criminal misuse of EU funds puts the EU's objectives of growth and jobs at stake. Throughout the EU, every euro counts. Proposed new rules will fight fraud against the EU budget by means of criminal law to better safeguard taxpayers' money.

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 10 July 2012 European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, today welcomed a vote by two European Parliament committees which supports the Commission's proposals to improve rights for crime victims throughout Europe.

What are the policies and approaches accross the EU to the so called legal highs?

European Commission MEMO Brussels, 3 July 2012 More needs to be done to strengthen the representation of women in sport and in sport governing bodies, as well as the fight against discrimination and sexual harassment. This is the message in a letter from two leading European Commissioners to the Presidents...

Is it a virtual strip search that reveals too much or a vital new tool in aviation security? Full body security scanners at European airports have been the focus of much debate, and held up as a prime example of why our fundamental rights need to be closely watched.

What are your rights when things go wrong while travelling outside the EU? Euronews reports on consular protection of EU citizens abroad.

The European Commission has given Germany two months to comply with European Union rules protecting consumers negotiating contracts "at the doorstep"

European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 June 2012 Today, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, opened the inaugural meeting of the expert group on EU criminal policy. Twenty high-level legal experts, academics and practitioners, are meeting to discuss and advise the European Commission on key questions of EU criminal...

European Commission MAIN MESSAGES OF THE SPEECH On Brussels I Today we achieved a breakthrough on the reform of the Brussels I regulation which abolishes the time-consuming and costly 'exequatur' procedure in civil and commercial cases.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 7 June 2012 "You have the right to… - a Letter of Rights". A new law to ensure defendants' right to information during criminal proceedings throughout the European Union has been published in the Official Journal – the EU's statute book.

All Member States have now transposed the Timeshare Directive into their national law.

European Commission presents its first assessment of the national Roma integration strategies submitted by the Member States as response to the EU Framework for Roma integration presented in April last year

Only empowered and confident consumers can fully exploit the potential of the Single Market and enhance innovation and growth. This is why the European Commission's strategic vision for EU consumer policy for the years to come – adopted today - aims to maximise consumer participation and trust in the market.

Brussels, 23 May 2012 – The European Commission has called on EU Member States, in a report adopted today, to implement their national strategies to improve the economic and social integration of Europe's 10 to 12 million Roma. Member States developed these plans in response to the Commission's EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies adopted on 5 April 2011 which was endorsed by EU leaders soon afterwards.

In Europe, growing up lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender can be challenging: difference often leads to bullying, self-harm, and sometimes suicide attempts. Studies consistently point to higher physical and mental health risks for LGBT young people.

For the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2012, over 50 European politicians and leaders from all EU institutions  join forces telling LGBT teenagers they are working to make things better, and put an end to homophobia and transphobia.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 8 May 2012 – 9 May is Europe Day. This should be more than just a day of celebration for citizens. As of tomorrow, the European Commission will be calling on citizens all over the European Union to help set the policy agenda for...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue our discussion on the reform proposal on data protection. Since I last met many of you, in December at the last Working Party 29 meeting, the Commission adopted its proposals for a reform of the EU's data protection rules.

SPEECH/12/266 Ladies and Gentleman, I am very pleased to be here in the Centre for European Policy Studies to present the 2011 Annual Report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. I am convinced that we need the fresh ideas of people ...

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 16 April 2012 – The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – now in force and legally binding for more than two years – has guided EU law-making from the very first draft all the way through to the statute book.

Brussels, 16 April 2012 – Improving equality between women and men is essential to the EU's response to the current economic crisis, according to the European Commission's latest annual report on gender equality. The report looks at progress over the past year in tackling the remaining gaps between women and men in employment, the economy and society in general. While some progress has been made in increasing the number of women in top jobs in business and in narrowing the gender pay gap, major challenges remain.

Brussels, 16 April 2012 – The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – now in force and legally binding for more than two years – has guided EU law-making from the very first draft all the way through to the statute book. The Charter sets out fundamental rights – such as freedom of expression and the protection of personal data – that reflect Europe’s common values and its constitutional heritage. The European Commission's second annual report on the Charter finds that fundamental rights concerns are increasingly embedded in EU policy-making.

Download the brochure: 2011 Report on the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (2 MB)    

The Commission hereby invites applications from individuals with a view to establishing a group of experts the Commission with the revision of Council Regulation (EC) 1346/2000 on insolvency proceedings (the "Insolvency Regulation").

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 30 March 2012 – Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation on modernising EU rules governing insolvencies. The existing rules (the Insolvency Regulation) date from 2000 and set out how bankruptcies – of companies or individuals – should be coordinated between several EU...

Being able to move and work freely across all the EU states is a fundamental right for EU citizens from all 27 countries. Euronews report.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 7 March 2012 – The European Commission has today decided on further steps following Hungary’s reply to three letters of formal notice of 17 January (see IP/12/24) and their legal analysis.

Brussels, 7 March 2012 On 1 January, a new Constitution and a number of cardinal laws entered into force in Hungary. The European Commission immediately conducted a full legal analysis of the final versions of the new provisions and their compatibility with European Union Treaties and decided to launch three...

09 March 2012 Women in Decision-Making Persistent lack of women on company boards – EU action needed to break the glass ceiling A European Commission report shows that the number of women in company boards remains at low levels.

The second European Equal Pay Day (EEPD) took place on 2 March 2012. This EU-wide day aims to raise awareness of the pay gap that exists between women and men in the different EU Member States and encourage action to close it.

Brussels, 5 March 2012 – A European Commission report published today shows that limited progress towards increasing the number of women on company boards has been achieved one year after EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding called for credible self-regulatory measures. Just one in seven board members at Europe's top firms is a woman (13.7%). This is a slight improvement from 11.8% in 2010. However, it would still take more than 40 years to reach a significant gender balance (at least 40% of both sexes) at this rate.

A new web clip that highlights the absurdity of pay inequalities between women and men is among the new materials now available on this website. We invite you to forward it to your contacts to help ensure it reaches a large audience.

70% of EU citizens are worried about the misuse of their personal data. That's why the EU is developing rules to strengthen your right to access, change or delete your data. And it's adding a 'Right to be Forgotten' online, letting you remove all your data from a website as soon as you want it gone. Because your personal data, it's you.

Today was the first time that ministers debated at EU level how to improve the participation of women on company boards. Everyone agreed that there is a problem with women’s participation at the top level of companies. There was unanimity that we need to do something.

Grants funding to the value of €93 million for projects in the field of justice and fundamental rights: interested organisations and Member States should apply now!

Davos, 27 January 2012 28 January is European Data Protection Day, a joint initiative by the European Commission and the Council of Europe to raise awareness of how people's personal information is dealt with and their rights to data protection.

27 January 2012 Table of content: Data Protection Safeguarding fundamental rights – Adapting EU data protection to the digital age to clear citizens' doubts about the cloud EU Decision-Making Countdown on the European Citizens' Initiative - Proactive policy proposals soon on the table Data Protection Safeguarding fundamental rights – Adapting...

Brussels, 25 January 2012 – The European Commission has today proposed a comprehensive reform of the EU's 1995 data protection rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe's digital economy. Technological progress and globalisation have profoundly changed the way our data is collected, accessed and used. In addition, the 27 EU Member States have implemented the 1995 rules differently, resulting in divergences in enforcement. A single law will do away with the current fragmentation and costly administrative burdens, leading to savings for businesses of around €2.3 billion a year. The initiative will help reinforce consumer confidence in online services, providing a much needed boost to growth, jobs and innovation in Europe.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to be back at the DLD (Digital, Life, Design). Since its foundation in 2005, this one-of-a kind conference allows people from business, technology, media and politics to exchange dreams and experiences about the transformation of markets, culture and society through digital technologies and the...

1 in 6 Europeans have some sort of disability. This should not be an obstacle to their equal access to jobs, public services or new technology. The Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe. As equal EU citizens, they enjoy the same rights as everyone else in Europe, and should be allowed to enjoy them without facing discrimination or exclusion.

The European Commission has started legal action against Hungary over new legislation that came into force at the beginning of the year under Hungary's new constitution.

Following developments in 2011 related to the new Hungarian Constitution and the commitments taken by the Commission at that time to closely monitor the situation, the Commission has been working with the Hungarian authorities over recent months during the preparation of the draft cardinal laws implementing the new Constitution. The Commission has raised concerns on the compatibility of these laws with European Union law.

The European Union easily explained: Commission launches website dedicated to children that includes information about children's rights.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 22 December 2011 – The European Commission has today adopted guidelines to help the insurance industry implement unisex pricing, after the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that different premiums ...

Only 8% of consumers shop online from other European countries. New EU rules give the online shopper the option of choosing a European sales contract. This will make it easier and cheaper for you to buy and return online your favourite products, and will give you the trust that your rights are being protected across Europe. This optional European contract will also help businesses grow, by letting them trade anywhere in Europe under the same rules and without additional costs.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 06 December 2011 - Leaders of the European Union institutions today came together for the first time with the European Disability Forum to discuss issues facing the estimated 80 million Europeans with disabilities.

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 14 December 2011 –Today, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme that aims to increase citizens' awareness and understanding of the European Union.

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 13 December 2011 – Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation on its future plans for breaking down barriers to Europeans with disabilities. The consultation will help the Commission to prepare its proposals for a European Accessibility Act, planned for autumn 2012.

En tant que citoyen européen, vos droits sont protégés chez vous, à l'étranger et en ligne

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 1 December 2011 – The Austrian city Salzburg today won the Access City award 2012, the European prize for making cities more accessible to people with disabilities. The annual honour aims to award efforts to improve accessibility in the urban environment and to foster...

Brussels, 21 May 2010 The European Commission, seeking to boost cross-border trade and to ensure strong rights for consumers, convened a new expert group to propose ways to improve contract law in the European Union. The group of 18 contract law experts, lawyers and consumer representatives met for the first...

Brussels, 25 March 2010 Only one in 10 board members of Europe's biggest listed companies is a woman and all central bank governors in the EU are male. The economy would benefit by having full representation of both men and women in top positions, says a new report presented by...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be with you today to discuss the reform of the European Union data protection laws and its impact on businesses. The collection and storage of personal information are now essential elements of almost all companies’ daily business – from insurance firms and banks...

The directive will harmonise around twenty relevant criminal offences, at the same time setting high level of penalties.

European - Press release Commission Brussels, 15 November 2011 – People in Europe need to feel at ease when they live, travel, or shop in a Member State other than their own. They should be able to rely on access to justice no matter where they are in the EU.

Brussels, 17 November 2011 Who are the Roma? There are around 10-12 million Roma people in Europe. They have been part of Europe for centuries and are integral to its society and economy, but frequently face prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and exclusion.

There are around 16 million international couples in the EU. The EU is agreeing common rules to simplify their joint property rights, and to let them choose which national law to use in case of divorce.

75 million Europeans each year become victims of crime. The European Union is guaranteeing their right to support, protection and access to justice. Wherever you are in the EU. Also, 8 million Europeans a year are accused or suspected of a crime. The EU is defending their rights to a fair trial: guaranteeing the right to information, translation and interpretation, access to a lawyer, and to contact their family and consulate when in another EU country.

Only 8% of consumers shop online from other European countries. New EU rules give the online shopper the option of choosing a European sales contract. This will make it easier and cheaper for you to buy and return online your favourite products, and will give you the trust that your rights are being protected across Europe. This optional European contract will also help businesses grow, by letting them trade anywhere in Europe under the same rules and without additional costs.

90 million Europeans travel outside the EU each year. 30 million Europeans live in a non-EU country. The EU is looking after its citizens throughout the world, enabling you to ask for help from any EU embassy if your own country doesn't have one where you are.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 16 November 2011 – EU Member State representatives today agreed on a draft law that will ensure defendants’ right to information in criminal proceedings wherever they are in the EU.

The winter edition of the Stop Discrimination Newsletter focuses on the Fifth Equality Summit of 14-15 November 2011 in Poznan, Poland which dealt with how equality policy is being implemented at regional and local level across the European Union. Lina Papamichalopoulou, head of the team working on non-discrimination policies at the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice, gives an interview about her role, the theme of the Summit and what she thinks are the main challenges for the coming years in the field of equality and anti-discrimination

The Fifth annual Seminar between the European Commission and the Government of the State of Israel on the fight against racism, xenophobia and antisemitism took place on 26 and 27 October in Brussels and Mechelen.

People in Europe need to feel at ease when they live, travel, or shop in a Member State other than their own. They should be able to rely on access to justice no matter where they are in the EU. On November 15 2011, the European Commission put forward proposals for simplified funding programmes to help build an EU area of justice.

The European Commission has proposed to improve assistance for EU citizens caught in crisis situations – such as those that occurred in Japan, Libya or Egypt this year – and day-to-day emergencies when travelling abroad. The aim is to ease cooperation between consular authorities and strengthen European citizens' right to consular protection.

Dear guests, dear colleagues, I am glad to see so many of you at this very timely conference on the future of European contract law. I would like to thank our Polish colleagues for the warm welcome they have given us in Warsaw and for the excellent organisation of this...

This publication provides guidance on the key elements of the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies adopted on 5 April 2011 by the European Commission. It also highlights existing good practices and tools that can provide support and help orientate policymaking. It is designed to be used by national and local decision makers. It will be available in all EU languages

- Press release European Commission Strasbourg, 25 October 2011 – The European Commission has today given a fresh impetus to anti-drugs policy by announcing an overhaul of the EU rules to fight illicit drugs, particularly new psychoactive substances, which imitate the effects of dangerous drugs like ecstasy or cocaine and...

Europe is facing new challenges in the field of drugs, notably illicit drug trafficking, the rapid spread of new psychoactive substances and reducing the demand for illicit drugs. The EU has unveiled plans to tackle these problems.

Investors who trade on inside information and manipulate markets by spreading false information or rumours may face sanctions under proposed EU-wide rules.

Brussels, 20 October 2011 - Investors who trade on insider information and manipulate markets by spreading false or misleading information can currently avoid sanctions by taking advantage of differences in law between the 27 EU Member States. Some countries’ authorities lack effective sanctioning powers while in others criminal sanctions are not available for certain insider dealing and market manipulation offences. Effective sanctions can have a strong deterrent effect and reinforce the integrity of the EU’s financial markets. That is why the European Commisison proposes today EU-wide rules to ensure minimum criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 12 July 2011 - LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton today signed the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe”, voluntarily committing to increase women’s corporate boardroom presence to 30% by 2015 and to 40% by 2020. At the same time, three Greek companies (G.

Brussels, 1 March 2011 Following meetings today with business leaders and social partners on women in decision-making (see IP/11/242), EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding challenged publicly listed companies in Europe to sign a “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” by March 2012.

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 11 October 2011 – Despite the success of the EU's Single Market, barriers to cross-border trade remain. Many of these result from divergent sales laws between the 27 Member States. They make selling abroad complicated and costly, especially for small firms.

Brussels, 11 October 2011 What is the Common European Sales Law about? Consumers and businesses – especially small companies – are not using the full potential of a Single Market of 500 million people. At present, 44% of Europeans say they do not buy abroad because they are uncertain of...

The optional Common European Sales Law will help break down the trade barriers and give consumers more choice and a high level of protection. It will offer a single set of rules for cross-border contracts in all 27 EU countries.

Joint declaration by Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty.

10 October marks the World and European Day against the Death Penalty. The abolition of the death penalty worldwide is one of the main objectives of the EU’s human rights policy. The EU considers the death penalty inhumane and a violation of human dignity.

Brussels, 10 October 2011 The new EU Consumer Rights Directive has been formally adopted today by Member States in the EU's Council of Ministers. The new legislation will strengthen consumers' rights in all 27 EU countries, particularly when shopping online.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 29 September 2011 - The European Commission has today stepped up legal action against Belgium and France for non-compliance with the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (Directive 2005/29/EC).

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 29 September 2011 - The European Commission has decided to step up legal action against Spain, Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania to ensure that consumers benefit from the protection granted under EU rules on timeshare sales (Directive 2008/122/EC).

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 26 September 2011 - EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding today met with leaders of Europe's business schools to discuss how to improve the gender balance in company boardrooms by encouraging more young women to follow a career in business.

The Commission will launch a debate with the European Parliament and the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, and with civil society, on how EU citizens can get the most out of citizenship. In 2013 the Commission will present an assssment of the main actions, which are outlined in the following factsheets.

Brussels, 21 September 2011 European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is today meeting with leaders of European insurance companies to discuss European contract law in the insurance sector, the follow-up to the Court of Justice of the European Union's 1 March Test-Achats ruling on gender discrimination in insurance pricing, limitation periods...

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 20 September 2011 – Fighting crime is a priority for Europeans (see Annex). Citizens expect that criminals cannot hide behind borders or exploit differences between national legal systems. At the same time, criminal law is still a relatively young field at EU level.

Fighting crime is a priority for Europeans who expect that criminals cannot hide behind borders or exploit differences between national legal systems. The EU makes use of criminal law to strengthen the enforcement of EU policies and rules.

The Directorate-General Justice of the European Commission organised the conference "Equality between Women and Men" in Brussels on 19 and 20 September 2011.

Brussels, 13 September 2011 - The European Commission has set a clear target for increasing the numbers of judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other legal practitioners trained in European law. In a policy paper agreed today, the European Commission aims to ensure that half of all legal practitioners in the European Union – around 700,000 – participate in some form of European judicial training by 2020. The aim is to equip legal practitioners to apply European law – which is part of their role as judges and lawyers at national level. It will also help to build mutual trust between Europe's different legal systems and improve the implementation of European legislation. This will benefit people and businesses in Europe, who will be able to rely on swift decisions and proper respect for the rules.

Throughout the EU, more than 75 million people are victims of serious crime every year. The following factsheets provide guidance for victims to safeguard their rights.

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 11 August 2011 – Union citizenship and the rights that go with it are one of the key pillars of the European Union. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Union citizenship under the Maastricht Treaty, on 1 November 1993, the...

The Commission has developed a new tool to support national enforcers in achieving a common understanding and a uniform application of the Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices.

This legal database makes it possible to compare decisions and national case-law of the Member States.

Sopot, Poland 19 July, 2011 Dear Krzysztof, dear Ministers of Justice, The Polish government was truly inspired to kick off its Presidency in the field of justice in Gdansk, right on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The Presidency has put the theme of European contract law high on the...

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 27 July 2011 – One in six Europeans plan to take their main holiday outside the EU this year (see Annex). Overall, Europeans take around 90 million trips outside the EU every year for business or pleasure.

A small Italian cheese company supplies mozzarella to a frozen pizza maker in France. After the French company falls behind on its payments, the Italian firm stops the shipments, but it’s stuck with thousands of euros of unpaid bills. How will the Italian company recover the debt?

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 22 July 2011 – Settling disputes and disagreements through courts is often costly and time-consuming. Cross-border cases are particularly complex due to different national laws and practical matters like costs or language.

Brussels, 12 July 2011 "I welcome Justice Minister Kenneth Clarke's recommendation that the UK join the negotiations on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. This will allow the UK to play its part fully in the upcoming negotiations in the...

Tougher action across the European Union is needed to tackle the growing problem of new synthetic drugs entering the market, according to a report by the European Commission released today ...

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 11 July 2011 – Tougher action across the European Union is needed to tackle the growing problem of new synthetic drugs entering the market, according to a report by the European Commission released today.

Brussels, 11 July 2011 – Tougher action across the European Union is needed to tackle the growing problem of new synthetic drugs entering the market, according to a report by the European Commission released today ...

Brussels, 5 July 2011 On the occasion of the European Parliament's vote on the report on women and business leadership, Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner, said: "It is good news that the European Parliament supports the European Commission's approach towards more women in economic decision-making positions.

Brussels, 6 July 2011 The European Parliament approved a report by German Christian Democrat Axel Voss today that supports the Commission’s reform of the 1995 Data Protection Directive. The report states that people must be able to have their data easily deleted, corrected or blocked and be informed about any...

Brussels, 23 June 2011 Good news for consumers: new EU legislation will strengthen their rights in all 27 Member States. The European Parliament today adopted – by an overwhelming majority (615 for, 16 against, 21 abstentions) – the Consumer Rights Directive, which the European Commission proposed in October 2008 (IP/08/1474).

La Commission européenne vient de lancer l'édition 2011 du concours européen de journalisme "Tous contre les discriminations". Ce concours- le seul qui s’adresse aux journalistes de la presse écrite ou électronique traitant des problèmes de discrimination et de diversité dans l’Union européenne - distingue les journalistes qui, par leur travail, contribuent à mieux faire comprendre à leurs lecteurs l’importance et les bénéfices de la diversité et de la lutte contre les discriminations dans l’UE. Les gagnants européens remporteront respectivement des prix d'une valeur de 5000 €, 3500€ et 2500€. Délai de soumission: 10 novembre 2011 à 12h00 (midi HEC).

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 24 June 2011 – The European Commission's EU framework for national Roma integration strategies (IP11/400, MEMO/11/216) was endorsed at the highest political level. European leaders meeting in Brussels today backed a plan to end the centuries-old exclusion of the continent's Roma minority.

Brussels, 24 June 2011 Marking the 50th anniversary of the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs, EU Justice Commissioner Reding said Europe made the following statement: “We are investing heavily in Europe in preventing drug use, treating addicts and disrupting drug trafficking.

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 21 June 2011 - Under new EU-wide rules which apply as of this week, children across the EU will benefit from speedier maintenance payments when families split up. With an estimated 16 million international couples in the EU and 1 million divorces every year,...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be here at the British Bankers' Association's Data Protection and Privacy Conference to share with you my ideas on the upcoming data protection reform for Europe. The protection of personal data is one of the basic values for people in Europe, for the...

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 14 June 2011 – Europeans must have confidence that they will be treated to similar standards of protection no matter where they are in the European Union. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding presented a Green Paper today asking 10 questions on how to strengthen...

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 16 June 2011 - The European Commission closed infringement proceedings against the Czech Republic after it improved its rules for consumers wishing to return faulty goods. The Commission had taken legal action against the Czech Republic to ensure that it correctly transposed Directive 99/44/EC...

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 16 June 2011 - The European Commission has given 13 Member States two months to transpose EU rules laying down criminal penalties against sea pollution and other environmental offences.

Brussels, 12 June 2011 “Today we commemorate World Day against Child Labour. The EU welcomes a steady decline in child labour since 2006 when the International Labour Organisation (ILO) set a visionary target to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2016.

Brussels, 14 June 2011 - Europeans must have confidence that they will be treated to similar standards of protection no matter where they are in the European Union. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding presented a Green Paper asking 10 questions on how to strengthen mutual trust in the field of detention. Detention conditions and periods vary widely between EU countries. Whiile national governments are solely responsible for detention issues and prison management, it is the European Commission's role to make sure judicial cooperation in the EU works and fundamental rights are respected when EU mutual recognition instruments - such as the European Arrest Warrent - are implemented.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to be with you today to discuss victims rights. First of all, I want to thank the European Law Academy – ERA for organising this conference. I very much appreciate the central role of ERA in promoting knowledge and training on EU...

- Press release European Commission Strasbourg, 8 June 2011 - The European Parliament, in a vote of its 736 members plenary today, with an overwhelming majority (521 in favour, 145 against, 8 abstentions) backed optional EU-wide rules for businesses and consumers who are concluding contracts in the Single Market.

- Press release European Commission Brussels, 8 June 2011 – A 22-year-old man went on holiday abroad to attend a football match. Following the game, he went to a bar with his friends. A riot broke out and he was arrested.

Brussels, 8 June 2011 How will suspects’ rights be guaranteed by the European Commission’s proposal? The Commission’s proposal sets out European Union-wide minimum standards on the right of access to a lawyer for suspects and accused persons and on the right of people in detention to communicate with a person...

Brussels, 8 June 2011 – A 22-year-old man went on holiday abroad to attend a football match. Following the game, he went to a bar with his friends. A riot broke out and he was arrested. The police then questioned him for several hours without a lawyer being present. Under a European Commission measure proposed today, all suspects – no matter where they are in the European Union – would be guaranteed the right to speak with a lawyer from the moment they are held by police until the conclusion of proceedings. Suspects could also talk to a family member or an employer and inform them of their arrest. If they are outside of their country, they would have the right to contact their country’s consulate.

Dear Professor Stuyck, dear Professor Schulze, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be with you today to discuss the challenges of European Contract Law. I am impressed to see so many bright legal minds from all over Europe who have come to Leuven for this purpose: Judges from...

- Press release European Commission Paris, 1 June 2011 – Viviane Reding, the European Union’s Justice Commissioner, marked the foundation of the European Law Institute as an important contributor to the EU’s wider goal of building a European area of justice.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to be taking part in your plenary this morning. I am conscious that I am the first Commissioner with dedicated responsibilities for the Justice portfolio. That brings with it the need to understand the concerns of the legal profession.

Brussels, 20 May 2011 “Today’s news that Japan is taking steps to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a very positive development,” said EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. “I have repeatedly encouraged the Japanese authorities over the past year to join the Convention.

Any one of us can fall victim to a crime, be it at home, be it abroad. Just imagine that you walk out of your home, you go to the cinema, and you are attacked by two people. You are knocked down, punched in the face, they grab your wallet,...

Brussels, 18 May 2011 A tourist from Poland is mugged and badly injured while visiting Paris. An Italian teenager is attacked outside a metro station in Helsinki. Throughout the EU, an estimated 75 million people may be victims of crime every year.

The growth of the internet economy brings tremendous economic benefits. This needs to be taken very much into account when the EU will start working on a new, modern and comprehensive framework for data protection across our continent later this year.

Brussels, 18 May 2011 How many people are victims of crime in the EU? Crime can affect us all. In fact, many millions of people in the European Union fall victim to crime every year. According to Eurostat data, around 30 million criminal offences against persons or property, excluding minor...

A tourist from Poland is mugged and badly injured while visiting Paris. An Italian teenager is attacked outside a metro station in Helsinki. Throughout the EU, an estimated 75 million people may be victims of crime every year. Such events can have devastating physical, emotional and financial consequences for victims and their families...

Brussels, 4 May 2011 EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding announced today the first two companies which signed up to the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” committing to improve the gender balance in boardrooms. Guerlain – a major perfumes and cosmetics firm – and FES Consulting Empresarial – a...

Brussels, 3 May 2011 An expert group established by the European Commission has today delivered a feasibility study on a future initiative on European contract law. In April 2010, the Commission convened the group, made up of legal practitioners, former judges and academics from across the European Union, to explore...

Brussels, 12 April 2011 The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee approved a report today that favours the elaboration of an optional European Contract Law. This is in response to several options put forward by the European Commission for a more coherent approach to contract law (see IP/10/872).

Dear Ms Izsák, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here with you at this 5th meeting of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion. The European Platform for Roma Inclusion provides a unique forum for debate and cooperation between all stakeholders: from national governments, EU institutions and international organisations...

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, Wednesday 6 April 2011 On 5 April 2011, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the Chairman of the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party(*) hosted the annual Spring Conference of European Data Protection Commissioners in Brussels, involving data protection authorities from EU and non-EU Member States,...

IP/10/408 Brussels, 6 April 2011 The Commission has referred Italy to the EU's Court of Justice concerning the transposition of Directive 2000/78/EC, which prohibits discrimination in employment on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

Brussels, 6 April 2011 The European Commission has acted today to ensure that the EU rules on the protection of personal data are respected in Germany. The Commission has formally requested Germany to comply with a judgment on 9 March 2010 by the EU's Court of Justice (C-518/07).

Brussels, 6 April 2011 The pain of a divorce or separation is all too often made worse by financial and emotional pressure when one parent lives abroad and refuses to provide financial help. With an estimated 16 million international couples in the EU and 30 million EU citizens living in...

Strasbourg, 5 April 2011 Europe's 10-12 million Roma continue to face discrimination, exclusion and the denial of their rights, while governments lose out on increased revenue and productivity because potential talent could go wasted.

Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for inviting me to this debate on the very important question: "Who pays for Data Protection?" I am pleased to see that the European Parliament is taking a proactive approach to the data protection reform, which is my top legislative priority.

Brussels, 29 March 2011 Today the European Union and the United States opened negotiations on an agreement to protect personal information exchanged in the context of fighting crime and terrorism. The negotiations will build on our longstanding, robust cooperation and agreements in this area.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to be here in Frankfurt today. I would like to thank the ECB's Vice-President and in particular my friend Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell for the invitation. The topic of your conference "Building on Diversity: how to master Europe's challenges" could not be more timely! Let...

Brussels, 23 March 2011 During emergencies and crises, such as in Japan, Libya or Egypt, EU citizens abroad have the right to ask for assistance from any EU consulate or embassy when their Member State is not represented in the country.

Brussels, 24 March 2011 Better rights for consumers when they shop online are within reach, following today's plenary vote by the European Parliament to move ahead with a draft EU consumer protection law. The vote on amendments to the Consumer Rights Directive gives the Parliament's rapporteurs a mandate to start...

Ladies and Gentlemen: First of all, let me thank Ambassador Kennard and the Aspen Institute for inviting me to take part in this event. I am glad to have the opportunity to share with you my views on privacy in the digital economy and on how to enhance consumers' trust...

Brussels, 23 March 2011 Which right do EU citizens have on consular protection? EU citizens, whether travelling to or living in a non-EU country in which their Member State is not represented, have the right to receive the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any EU Member State...

Brussels, 16 March 2011 What happens to your house if you get divorced and your spouse is of another nationality? What happens to a joint bank account if the spouse dies? What happens in such cases if you and your spouse have the same nationality, but you have property or...

Brussels, 16 March 2011 What is the problem? With more and more Europeans living in another EU country, the number of international couples (both spouses and registered partners) is on the rise. There are today around 16 million international couples in the European Union.

Brussels, 14 March 2011 The European Commission has closed three separate infringement procedures against Poland covering different aspects of EU equality legislation. The Commission successfully concluded the cases after Poland adopted a new anti-discrimination law.

Brussels, 14 March 2011 The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to Belgium asking the country to comply with EU rules protecting consumers from commercial practices that could harm them. The move comes after Belgium failed to repeal national rules that do not fully comply with Directive 2005/29/EC on...

This is real gender equality in action: two men – the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission – and two women – the Chair of the FEMJM Committee and the Vice-President of the European Commission – mark together the 100th anniversary of International Women's...

Strasbourg, 8 March 2011 "Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. For the past century, this important occasion has marked the economic, social, political and cultural achievements of women around the world. Women have struggled throughout history for more rights and greater freedom of choice and liberty.

Brussels, 4 March 2011 Women in the European Union earn on average 17.5% less than men during their lifetimes. This stark figure will be highlighted tomorrow during the first EU-wide Equal Pay Day. This day – 5 March – marks the extra number of days in 2011 that women must...

Brussels, 1 March 2011 Corporate Europe is still a man's world: just one in 10 board members at Europe's biggest companies are women and in 97% of cases the board is chaired by a man. Studies show that businesses with more women at the top outperform “men only” companies.

Brussels, 1 March 2011 The Court of Justice of the European Union today delivered its ruling in the Test-Achats case (C-236/09) concerning sex discrimination in insurance premiums. Commenting on the judgement, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding (who is in charge of gender equality at the European Commission) said: "Today is...

Brussels, 6 February 2011 "6 February marks the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation. This is an opportunity to remind the world that the European Union condemns this abhorrent practice that severely violates the human rights and dignity of hundreds of thousands women and girls.

Brussels, 31 January 2011 As part of the EU's action to tackle bottlenecks in the Single Market and to boost growth, the European Commission carried out a public consultation on bringing more coherence to contract laws in Europe (IP/10/872) – the rules that apply to businesses and consumers buying and...

Brussels, 28 January 2011 Nowadays the exchange of information across the globe has become easier and faster. An individual’s personal data – email, photos and electronic agendas – may be created in the UK using software hosted in Germany; processed in India; stored in Poland and accessed in Spain by...

IP/10/01/1652 Brussels, 3 December 2010 EU Member States today backed a draft law that ensures defendants’ right to information in criminal proceedings just four months after the Commission’s proposal (see IP/10/989). Suspects of a criminal offence will have to be informed of their rights in a language they understand.

Brussels, 3 December 2010 EU Justice Ministers today approved the start of talks between the European Union and the United States on a personal data protection agreement when cooperating to fight terrorism or crime. The European Commission adopted the draft mandate for negotiating such an agreement on 26 May 2010...

Brussels, 3 December 2010 The EU’s 27 Justice Ministers agreed today to ban a dangerous ecstasy-like drug that is still legal in 12 EU countries. The European Commission proposed on 20 October that governments act to stop the free spread of the drug "mephedrone" across Europe by submitting it to...

Brussels, 24 November 2010 The European Commission has welcomed the notification by Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia of measures to implement EU rules prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation on the grounds of sex (Directive 2006/54/EC, see MEMO/08/742).

Brussels, 24 November 2010 The European Commission has welcomed notification by Greece and Italy of measures to comply with EU rules on pensionable ages. In its rulings of 26 March 2009 and 13 November 2008, the EU’s Court of Justice found that different pensionable ages in Greece (case C-559/07) and...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here with you today at the European Institute for Gender Equality. It is a great moment for me to finally be able to visit the Institute and address this conference. As you know, the idea for a gender institute goes back...

Brussels, 15 November 2010 Most people take it for granted that they can hop on a bus to go shopping, surf the Internet or enjoy a television series. But for the 80 million Europeans with a disability, there may be major obstacles that put these activities out of reach.

Brussels, 15 November 2010 Why does the EU need a new strategy on disability? Around 80 million Europeans have a disability, representing one out of six people in the EU. They have the right to participate fully and equally in all aspects of life, both in the economy and society...

Brussels, 9 November 2010 The EU has made progress in curbing drug use and trafficking over the past 18 months. The Commission is acting to stop so-called “legal highs,” proposing on 20 October an EU-wide ban on mephedrone, an ecstasy-like drug that is already illegal in 15 Member States (see...

Brussels, 8 November 2010 European Union Justice and Home Affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on 8 and 9 November 2010. The European Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner, and Cecilia Malmström, EU Home Affairs Commissioner.

Brussels, 28 October 2010 The European Commission today has closed legal proceedings against the United Kingdom for non-transposition of EU rules prohibiting gender discrimination in access to and supply of goods and services (Directive 2004/113/EC). The case was successfully concluded after the United Kingdom transposed the Directive as regards Gibraltar.

Brussels, 28 October 2010 The European Commission has today closed legal proceedings against Germany for incorrectly implementing two parts of EU anti-discrimination legislation. The EU rules concern discrimination in employment on grounds of religion, belief, disability, age and sexual orientation (Directive 2000/78/EC) and in employment in almost all other areas...

Brussels, 28 October 2010 The European Commission has today sent a formal request to the Czech Republic to implement fully EU rules against gender discrimination in employment (Directive 2002/73/EC). The request, in the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures, comes after the Czech Republic failed to adequately...

Strasbourg, 20 October 2010 In a first reading, the European Parliament voted today on the European Commission's proposal to reform the 1992 Maternity Leave Directive (Directive 92/85/EEC). The Commission had proposed an increase in the minimum period of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks and to pay women 100%...

Brussels, 20 October 2010 The European Commission today called for a dangerous ecstasy-like drug that is still legal in 12 EU countries to be banned. It asked the EU Member States to stop the free spread of the drug "mephedrone" across Europe by submitting it to control measures.

Brussels, 30 September 2010 The European Commission has today closed legal proceedings against Sweden and Latvia for incorrectly implementing EU rules on equal treatment in employment on the basis of religion, belief, disability, age and sexual orientation (Directive 2000/78/EC).

Brussels, 27 September 2010 The Minister of Citizen Protection Mr Christos Papoutsis and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ms Cecilia Malmström met in Athens on 27 September to discuss ways to assist Greece in its efforts to reform the Greek asylum system.

"Over the past weeks, the European Commission has been following very closely the developments in France regarding the Roma. I personally have been appalled by a situation which gave the impression that people are being removed from a Member State of the European Union just because they belong to a...

Brussels, 7 September 2010 The European Commission held the first meeting of business, consumer and legal practitioners' groups today to discuss European contract law. At the moment, different national contract laws lead to higher transaction costs for businesses.

Brussels, 15 July 2010 About 30 million serious crimes in the EU are reported annually. The EU supports cooperation to bring criminals to justice, but what happens to the millions of crime victims? Their devastating experience can be made worse by a difficult investigation or trial, an invasion of their...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here today to discuss privacy and personal data protection matters with the real experts, those who have the essential role of ensuring that European rules are complied with at national level. Protection of personal data is a fundamental right.

Brussels, 1 July 2010 Contracts are the basic building blocks for relationships between businesses and consumers. The European Union’s Single Market is built on contract laws. However, businesses – particularly small and medium-sized companies – are hampered in cross-border sales because they must follow different contract laws for each of...

Brussels, 16 June 2010 European Union plans for rules ensuring translation and interpretation rights in criminal proceedings are one step closer to taking effect following approval by the European Parliament today. The Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority in favour of a strong draft law agreed during negotiations between the...

Brussels, 25th May 2010 The Competitiveness Council will hold on 25 May in the afternoon a policy debate on the Commission's proposed Consumer Rights Directive, which is also being reviewed by the European Parliament. For the discussion on consumer rights, the Commission will be represented by Vice-President Viviane Reding, Commissioner...

Brussels, 20th May 2010 The European Parliament has given its green light to a proposal from the European Commission which makes it possible to use European regional funding to improve housing for marginalised communities.

Brussels, 18 May 2010 European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding will urge EU Member States to swiftly ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during a May 19 Ministers’ meeting in Zaragoza, Spain.

Brussels, 18 May 2010 On 19 May 2010 the Spanish EU Presidency will host an informal meeting of Ministers responsible for disability policies in Zaragoza, Spain. Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, will urge those EU Member States that have not done so yet to...

Brussels, 7 April 2010 What is the new Communication about? This is the first time the European Commission has adopted a policy Communication dedicated specifically to Roma. The document defines the main challenges ahead and develops an ambitious programme to help make policies for Roma inclusion more effective.

Brussels, 7 April 2010 Roma communities, the European Union’s largest ethnic minority, continue to face persistent discrimination and segregation. The European Commission urged Member States in a report today to use EU funds for the social and economic integration of Roma.

Brussels, 24 March 2010 The Commission today adopted a draft mandate for negotiating bank data transfers with the United States government under the Terrorist Financing Tracking Programme (TFTP). The Commission wants to complete an agreement this summer to limit gaps in security.

Justice in the Single Market Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank the Spanish government for organising today's conference on the reform of international litigation in Europe. The subject is important and timely. The reform discussed at this conference is not an academic debate.

Brussels, 18 March 2010 The European Commission today stepped up legal action against Portugal for incorrectly implementing EU rules prohibiting discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in employment and occupation (Directive 2000/78/EC, see also MEMO/08/69).

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very grateful to the European Economic and Social Committee for the invitation to take part in European Consumer Day. I can think of no better occasion to discuss my vision of consumer rights in the EU.

Ladies and gentlemen, for me this is an important moment. For several reasons: first, it is the first time that I come to this press room in my new role as Vice-President of the European Commission second, I was in New York on Monday to participate in the United Nations...

Brussels, 9 March 2010 From the Italian tourist involved in a traffic accident in Sweden who was not allowed to talk to an Italian-speaking lawyer during trial to the Polish suspect who could not see written translations of evidence used against him in a French court – unexpected barriers can...

Brussels, 9 March 2010 1. What is the issue at stake? More and more Europeans travel, study and work outside their home country. 1 European Union citizens are entitled to "move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States," according to the EU Treaties.

SPEECH/ 10/71 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, Last September, I announced in the European Parliament the preparation of a Women's Charter, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and to express this Commission's commitment to gender equality.

Brussels, 5 March 2010 Ahead of International Women's Day, the European Commission strengthened and deepened its commitment to equality between women and men with a Women's Charter. This political declaration sets out five key areas for action and commits the Commission to building a gender perspective into all its policies...

Brussels, 5 March 2010 The European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at sig nificantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years. The average gender pay gap in the EU currently stands at 18%.

Brussels, 5 March 2010 Why do we need to tackle the gender pay gap? At 18% across Europe, the gender pay gap remains intolerably high and stubborn. Equal pay for equal work is one of the European Union’s founding principles.