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News found: 2312 of 2312
Directive on Ship-Source Pollution Amended
Directive 2005/35/EC as regards ship-source pollution and on the introduction of administrative penalties for infringements was amended by a new Directive published on 16 December 2024. The Directive updates the 2005 legal framework and incorporates into Union law international standards on illegal discharges from ships at sea. It also aims to ensure that those responsible for such discharges are subject to dissuasive, effective and proportionate sanctions. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Environmental Crime
EU Strengthened Cybersecurity with New Legislative Measures
The European Parliament and the Council adopted two new laws under the cybersecurity legislative package to bolster the EU's ability to detect, prepare for, and respond to cyber threats and incidents:The Cyber Solidarity Act (Regulation 2025/38);The targeted amendment to the Cybersecurity Act (CSA) … Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
EU
Security Union
Legislation
Cybercrime
Spotlight High Level Group Recommendations on Law Enforcement Data Access
This news item summarises the recommendations and major conclusions of the High-Level Group on access to data for effective law enforcement. It also reports on the controversies the report triggered with data protection experts and civil society organisations. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Digital Space Regulation
Law Enforcement Cooperation
FASTER Directive on Excess Withholding Taxes Published
On 10 January 2025, Council Directive (EU) 2025/50 on faster and safer relief of excess withholding taxes was published in the EU's Official Journal L, 2025/50. The new rules make withholding tax procedures in the EU more efficient, secure and simplified for investors, financial intermediaries … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
OLAF’s Operational Work July-December 2024
This news item summarises OLAF’s operational work in the second half of 2024 in reverse chronological order. It follows the reports on operations supported by OLAF in the first half of 2024 published in → eucrim 1/2024, 17-18. Read more
EU
OLAF
Customs Cooperation
ECA Report: Still Gaps in Fight against Harmful Tax Regimes
According to a special report by the ECA, the EU has strengthened defence measures against harmful tax regimes and corporate tax avoidance, but has not closed all the gaps. The Commission and the Member States failed to monitor the implementation of adequate measures to fight the problem of tax avoidance by aggressive tax plannings. Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
German Federal Constitutional Court: Use of EncroChat Data in Criminal Proceedings Admissible
On 1 November 2024, the German Federal Constitutional Court rejected a constitutional complaint against a criminal conviction for dealing in narcotics in a non-negligible quantity, which was based on the use of EncroChat data as evidence. The Federal Constitutional Court in essence backed the case law of the Federal Court of Justice which sees no exclusionary rule in the use of said data which were gathered by French law enforcement authorities via the use of mass surveillance technology. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Organised Crime
European Investigation Order
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Data Protection
GRECO: 5th Round Evaluation Report on San Marino
On 2 December 2024, GRECO published its 5th Round Evaluation Report on San Marino. GRECO evaluated the effectiveness of the framework in place in San Marino to prevent corruption among persons with top executive functions ("PTEFs", i.e. members of the Congress of State, Heads … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
Spotlight New Five-Year Programme on Future Priorities in the Fields of Justice and Home Affairs
At their meeting on 12 December 2024, the EU Member States' Minsters responsible for home and justice affairs approved a new strategic agenda that shapes the future direction of EU policy in the area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ). According to the titled "strategic guidelines for legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security and justice", the EU institutions are called on to put the set priorities into action during the next legislative cycle. Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Legislation
Council
Organised Crime
Judicial Cooperation
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Spotlight EDPB Opinion on AI Data Processing
On 17 December 2024, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published its Opinion on certain data protection aspects related to the processing of personal data in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Data Protection
CCJE Opinion on the Disciplinary Liability of Judges
On 13 December 2024, the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) of the Council of Europe adopted an opinion on the disciplinary liability of judges. The opinion was drafted in the light of the fact that liability of judges has become a … Read more
Council of Europe
Rule of Law
Procedural Safeguards
Key Challenges for Effective Response to Victims of Crime
On 28 November 2024, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published a paper titled “Stepping up the response to victims of crime: FRA’s findings on challenges and solutions” The paper outlines the main challenges and solutions in promoting and protecting victims' rights … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
Victim Protection
New Regulation Will Ban Products Made with Forced Labour from Union Market
On 12 December 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 of 27 November 2024 on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 was published in the Official Journal. The new legal framework will prohibit to place and make available on … Read more
EU
Legislation
Illegal Employment
First European Prosecutors for Poland and Sweden Appointed
On 12 December 2024, the Council appointed the European Prosecutors for Poland and Sweden. Both countries have recently joined the EPPO with Poland being the 23rd EU Member State joining the EPPO (→eucrim 1/2024, 18) and Sweden the 24th (→eucrim 2/2024, … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
New Liaison Prosecutor for the United States at Eurojust
At the beginning of January 2025, Ms Martyna Pospieszalska took up her two-year mandate as the new Liaison Prosecutor for the USA at Eurojust. Prior to starting her new position, Ms Pospieszalska had worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office … Read more
EU
Eurojust
New National Member for Poland at Eurojust
At the beginning of January 2025, Mr Paweł Wąsik started his four-year mandate as the new National Member for Poland at Eurojust. Mr Wąsik's working experience at Eurojust dates back to 2016, when he joined the agency as assistant to the National Member for Poland. … Read more
EU
Eurojust