Two years of ‘trilogue’ negotiations between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament have significantly transformed the shape and scope of the EU’s legislation aimed at controlling exports of goods that could be used to apply the death penalty or for torture purposes. Five years ago, the EU …
Environment, labour, human rights – regulations
CJEU: Advocate General slams 2015 Morocco trade agreement ruling
The EU Council has increased its chances to win an appeal against a ruling by the General Court in December 2015 that invalidated a 2012 EU trade agreement with Morocco because it purportedly did not take into account human rights considerations in the territory of Western Sahara. The Advocate General’s opinion released today …
‘Political agreement’ over conflict minerals regulation reached – Slovak presidency to take over
Sustainability has been the leitmotiv of the Dutch Council presidency’s trade agenda during the first half of 2016. The Netherlands has set its priority on achieving compromise with fellow member states, the Commission and the Parliament on a regulation that aims to exclude tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold produced in …
Get ready for the coming EU ‘conflict minerals’ regulation
The ‘conflict minerals’ regulation under preparation in the EU will likely go beyond the United States’ equivalent rules under the 2010 Dodd Frank Act. Hundreds of thousands of companies could end up being required to report on their sourcing of tin, tantalum, and tungsten. Better for them to get ready now, writes James Appleyard. …
Human rights issues increase uncertainty for Morocco, Vietnam trade deals
An EU trade agreement with Morocco was thrown into disarray after a Court of Justice of the EU ruling on its human rights consequences for Western Saharan people. The recently concluded trade deal with Vietnam could also see rough times ahead after the EU Parliament picked up on the EU’s …
