Assistant lawyer Nikola Cīparsone compiled the material.
ESG
The Commission adopts the European Sustainability Reporting Standards
Adopted: 31 July 2023
The Commission adopted today the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for use by all companies subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This marks another step forward in the transition to a sustainable EU economy.
The standards cover the full range of environmental, social, and governance issues, including climate change, biodiversity and human rights.
Energy
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania agree to synchronise their electricity grids with the European grid by early 2025
Signed: 3 August 2023
An agreement by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to accelerate the integration of their electricity grids with the Continental Europe network (CEN) and their disconnection from Russia and Belarus. The deadline for synchronisation is brought forward from the end of 2025, as initially established by political declarations in 2018 and 2019, to February 2025.
State aid: Commission approves €1.5 billion French measure to support ProLogium in researching and developing innovative batteries for electric vehicles
Published: 3 August 2023
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.5 billion French measure to support ProLogium Technologies in researching and developing a new generation of batteries for electric vehicles. The measure will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU battery strategy.
State aid: Commission approves €6.5 billion German scheme to address carbon leakage risk for energy-intensive companies resulting from national fuel emission trading system
Published: 10 August 2023
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €6.5 billion German scheme to partially compensate energy-intensive companies to address the risk of carbon leakage from higher fuel prices resulting from the German fuel emission trading system (‘German fuel ETS’).
Other
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1617 of 8 August 2023 amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2011 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of optical fibre cables originating in the People’s Republic of China
Adopted: 8 August 2023
The European Commission has doubled its anti-dumping duties on optical fibre cables from China, following an investigation which found that Chinese exporters of optical fibre cables were attempting to impede the effects of the original measures.
See also: Press release
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1618 of 8 August 2023 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of tungsten carbide, fused tungsten carbide and tungsten carbide simply mixed with metallic powder originating in the People’s Republic of China following an expiry review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Adopted: 8 August 2023
The European Commission has renewed anti-dumping duties on imports of tungsten carbide from China for another five years, following an investigation which showed that EU industry would sustain injury from dumped imports if the measures were to lapse.
See also: Press release
Adoption of the Commission Decision on the Union-wide quantity of allowances for 2024
Published: 28 July 2023
The Commission has adopted a Decision on the Union-wide quantity of allowances to be issued under the EU Emissions Trading System for 2024 in respect of stationary installations and maritime transport activities (the ‘cap’).
Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1594 of 3 August 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine
Adopted: 3 August 2023
Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 is amended and supplemented with articles that contain restrictions regarding providing technical assistance, brokering services or other services related to the goods listed directly or indirectly to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Belarus or for use in Belarus, as well as providing financing or financial assistance related to the goods referred to, etc.
The measures expand the ban on exports to Belarus to a number of highly sensitive goods and technologies which contribute to Belarus’s military and technological enhancement. The Council also imposes an additional export ban on firearms and ammunition, and on goods and technology suited for use in aviation and the space industry. The changes also align the Belarus sanctions with the Russia sanctions regime.
See also: Press release
