Assistant lawyer Sofia Kurochka compiled the material.
Data protection
Proposal for a Regulation laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of GDPR
Published: 04 July 2023
The new regulation provides detailed rules to support the smooth functioning of the cooperation and consistency mechanism established by the GDPR. The proposal harmonises the requirements for a cross-border complaint to be admissible, removing the current obstacles brought by DPAs following different rules. It also provides the parties under investigation with the right to be heard at key stages in the procedure, including during dispute resolution by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), and clarifies the content of the administrative file and the parties’ rights of access to the file. Under the proposal, DPAs will be able to provide their views early on in investigations, and make use of all the tools of cooperation provided by the GDPR, such as joint investigations and mutual assistance.
See also: Press release.
Commission Implementing Decision of 10.7.2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate level of protection of personal data under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework
Published: 10 July 2023
The decision concludes that the United States ensures an adequate level of protection – comparable to that of the European Union – for personal data transferred from the EU to US companies under the new framework. On the basis of the new adequacy decision, personal data can flow safely from the EU to US companies participating in the Framework, without having to put in place additional data protection safeguards.
See also: Press release.
Trade
Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand
Signed: 9 July 2023
The EU-New Zealand FTA will provide new opportunities for businesses by eliminating all tariffs on EU exports to New Zealand, opening the New Zealand services market in key sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, maritime transport and delivery services, improving access for EU companies to New Zealand government procurement contracts for goods, services, works and works concessions, significantly reducing compliance requirements and procedures to allow for quicker flow of goods, and other.
The text will now be transmitted to the European Parliament for consent. After the consent by the Parliament, the Council can adopt the Decision on conclusion, and once New Zealand notifies that it has also completed its ratification procedure, the agreement can enter into force.
See also: Press release.
Energy
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC
Adopted: 10 July 2023
The regulation will apply to all batteries including all waste portable batteries, electric vehicle batteries, industrial batteries, starting, lightning and ignition (SLI) batteries (used mostly for vehicles and machinery) and batteries for light means of transport (e.g. electric bikes, e-mopeds, e-scooters).
The regulation sets targets for producers to collect waste portable batteries, and introduces a dedicated collection objective for waste batteries for light means of transport. It also provides for mandatory minimum levels of recycled content for industrial, SLI batteries and EV batteries. These are initially set at 16% for cobalt, 85% for lead, 6% for lithium and 6% for nickel. Batteries will have to hold a recycled content documentation.
See also: Press release.
Competition
Communication from the Commission extending the transitional period provided for in the Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines concerning regional airports (2023/C 244/01)
Adopted: 11 July 2023
The Guidelines were adopted in 2014 and they specify the conditions under which public financing of airports and airlines may constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU, and when it does constitute State aid, the conditions under which it can be declared compatible with the European Union’s (EU) internal market. The Commission decided to extend the existing rules on operating aid to regional airports, as well as the specific regime applying to the smallest airports, until 3 April 2027.
Other
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1442 of 11 July 2023 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as regards changes to substance authorisations and addition of new substances (Text with EEA relevance)
Adopted: 11 July 2023
The new Regulation amends substance authorizations and introduces new substances in Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as regards changes to substance authorisations and addition of new substances. The amendments are driven by the need to consider scientific and technical progress, particularly the recent findings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and address ambiguities in the application of the regulation.
