Bio-based products can make the economy more sustainable and lower our dependence on fossil fuels. For this reason, the EU has declared the bio-based products sector to be a priority area with high potential for future growth, reindustrialisation, and addressing societal challenges. Over 170 participants – from both private and public sectors – shared their experiences and views on the potential of bio-based materials to increase the sustainability of industry and to contribute to the European Green Deal objectives. Director-General Kerstin Jorna and Deputy Director-General Maive Rute steered a lively and constructive discussion among stakeholders on ideas and suggestions on how to accelerate the move towards a sustainable bioeconomy.

The Commission celebrated the European Tourism Day 2023 with a big event on 5 May, where around 450 tourism stakeholders from all horizons were able to meet and network. Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton and the Chairwoman of the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament, Karima Delli, opened the discussion. This was followed by an orientation debate on the ecosystem's resilience and 3 roundtables on tourism's transition.

On European Tourism Day on 5 May, the Commission launched two competitions to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the EU, strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices: the European Capital of Smart Tourism and the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism.

The Transition pathway for proximity and social economy is a co-created path, inviting relevant parties to help social economy entities and small local businesses become greener and more digital. Following the call for pledges launched in November 2022, the first 80 stakeholder pledges were announced, committing parties to a green and digital future.

This seminar will highlight the certification of the products in Europe (CE marking) and in the world. The machinery directive will be presented as well with the important evolutions of the new version which will soon be applicable. Finally, we the new requirements of the cybersecurity of IoT products and industrial cybersecurity will be discussed.

The EU FINANCE DAYS are organised by the European Commission and implementing partners to present new financial and support programmes such as InvestEU, the Single Market Programme and the European Innovation Council to businesses and relevant stakeholders. Join us at the next EU FINANCE DAY in Lisbon. Click the 'More' button to register.

The partners of the Enterprise Europe Network (SME2EUplus consortium) in collaboration with the Chemical Laboratory Chamber of Commerce of Turin, organise a webinar for companies from the Marche, Umbria and Tuscany regions to make an overview of the rules to follow, examining the recent updates on mandatory environmental labelling and giving space to practical cases.

The seminar will be devoted to the cross-border provision of services and posting of workers from all perspectives – from the labour law conditions of posted employees, through social and health insurance and VAT, to the provision of services by self-employed persons and related procedures.

The European Youth Event (EYE) offers a variety of in-person and hybrid activities in Strasbourg, co-created with partners, youth organisations, participants themselves and other institutions and international organisations. On 9-10 June, the European Parliament and the EYE Village will be a hustle and bustle of young people engaged in panel debates, workshops, stands and artistic activities!

Standards are becoming a central element of a resilient, green and digital EU single market. One year after the publication of the EU standardisation strategy, experts will discuss several key issues, including: What does the strategy mean for Austria as a location for business, research and innovation? What are the next steps for the European Commission? 30 years of the European Single Market: How do we achieve the green and digital transformation? From future-oriented technologies to the Green Deal and critical raw materials: How do stakeholders assess the situation?

The summit will bring together key European and international decision-makers, law enforcement authorities, multinational companies, SMEs, consumer representatives, and other relevant players to discuss ways to improve protection and enforcement of IP rights in the EU and around the globe. The summit will focus on how innovative solutions and further cooperation can best tackle IP crime in the context of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats. It will also be an opportunity to continue the discussion about the EU Toolbox against counterfeiting, building on, in particular, the Digital Services Act.

The Unitary Patent is a new tool to strengthen business innovation, a lever for growth and competitiveness. Simpler and more economical, it facilitates companies' access to patent protection in Europe. France is the 2nd most innovative country in Europe with 10,900 patent applications filed at the EPO (EPO Innovation Barometer 2022). A Unified Patent Court (UPC) is also established to better enforce and protect patent rights in Europe in all participating Member States.

DG GROW and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will organise a second edition of the academic Conference on the EU Single Market, after the one organised in December 2022. The conference will be held in person in Brussels and virtually in a hybrid format. It will bring together top researchers to present research findings and policy insights related to the EU Single Market.

There are 57 projects nominated for the Ombudsman's Award for Good Administration 2023. The projects come from a range of EU institutions and showcase the breadth of activities carried out by the EU administration. There are four DG GROW proposals on the list, take a look and vote for your favourite one.

The Commission wants to hear from you to gather your input on the current and future needs of eInvoicing. This survey was launched in the context of the evaluation of eInvoicing Directive 2014/55/EU. Your input will help us better understand the benefits and challenges of eInvoicing and identify potential improvement opportunities.

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