Libyan man accused of war crimes arrested in Germany, ICC says
Can the EU establish common rules to limit sperm and egg donation?
Births conceived through sperm donation are on the rise in Europe, but recent controversies involving so-called "super donors" have prompted several EU countries to call for clear regulation and international limits on sperm and egg donations.
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Is debt justified to increase defence investments?
First it was vaccines, then gas and now the EU will make joint purchases of defence equipment. This latest emergency is due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the prospect of less investment by the US in Europe's protection. Is the new financial instrument Security Action for Europe up to the challenge?
Can Europe make ecological farming competitive?
Last year farmers' protested against red tape pinned to EU funding, and their demonstrations yielded results. The European Commission has been simplifying farmers' environmental obligations, but how will it reform the Common Agricultural Policy in the next EU budget?
Can the EU afford to phase out imports of Russian fuel?
Cutting off Russian energy imports is the aim of the new RepowerEU Roadmap presented by the European Commission. The executive cites security reasons, adding that it will also accelerate the EU's energy transition, but what are the obstacles to achieving this?
Can the EU do enough to attract scientists to work in its countries?
Europe is home to more than two million researchers and the bloc wants to attract many more, especially after restrictions imposed by the US government on the scientific community. Will the "Choose Europe" initiative be enough to make the EU a world leader in science?
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Digital border system targets crime and irregular migration
People without a passport from an EU country will soon face a new digital border system that will record much of their personal information. The so-called Entry/Exit System aims to increase security, but EU DECODED explains that it can also act as a tool to prevent irregular migration.
Will companies cut down on microplastic pollution?
Microplastics are among the worst polluters for all ecosystems and can be harmful to all life. We look at how new regulations could reduce the contamination that often occurs during the transport of plastic pellets used in the manufacture of larger products.
How does the European Union want to make toys safe for children?
Supported by most political forces, the EU institutions advanced a proposal to ban toxic chemicals from toys sold in European markets. Those chemicals could pose considerable health risks for kids.
Is the EU losing the geopolitical race for critical raw minerals?
The EU wants to cut reliance on powers like China for mineral supplies by the end of the decade. As geopolitical tensions boil, EU Decoded asks whether the bloc can keep up with its competitors.
What impact will driving at 17 have on road safety?
Around 20,000 people lost their lives in car accidents in the EU last year. To help increase road safety, the bloc is reviewing legislation on driving licenses. Would lowering the minimum driving age to 17 years be a good idea?
Will citizens channel their savings to boost EU businesses?
The European Commission's proposal for a Savings and Investment Union wants citizens to also help EU companies grow. This episode discusses what it would take to make investing savings in financial products a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Will European agriculture convert to new genomic techniques?
The European Union has just taken a step towards deregulating New Genomic Techniques used for the improvement of agricultural plants. The agrichemical sector argues that they are essential to ensuring the future of food production, but many remain sceptical.
Will deportation hubs help speed up migrant returns?
The Common European System for Returns aims to speed up deportation of asylum seekers who aren't permitted to stay in the European Union. In an unexpected move, it also opens the possibility to build the controversial detention centres outside the bloc.
Will fewer corporate reporting obligations jeopardise the EU Green Deal?
Cutting down on red tape to help boost companies’ competitiveness is the aim of a European Commission proposal to simplify corporate reporting obligations. But critics of the so-called Omnibus package claim the proposal is a step back for human rights and the environment.
Will new legally binding targets turn the fight against waste around?
Every year, millions of tonnes of food and textile waste are generated in the EU. The mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle to promote the circular economy does not seem to be enough to drive change.
Will loss of AI-specific liability rules leave victims without redress?
In a world-first, the EU created legislation to regulate Artificial Intelligence, called the AI Act. But it now seems to be moving away from effective protection for those harmed by this technology by abandoning a proposed AI Liability Directive.
Noise pollution directive: a far cry from effective
High noise levels have a significant impact on the health of Europeans, especially those living in urban areas. A recent study by the European Court of Auditors drew attention to the risks of neglecting this type of pollution that contributes to premature deaths.
Brussels wants to strengthen the bargaining power of farmers
The price of the groceries we buy are the result of tough negotiations between large purchasers and farmers. But farmers very often feel taken advantage of by major retailers, claiming they are forced to undersell their products.
Non-alcoholic wines seen as key to reviving Europe's declining wine industry
To counter declining wine consumption, experts encourage European producers to explore the growing market for low and non-alcoholic wines, offering economic potential.
Can the EU safeguard critical medicines?
Drug shortages are an old problem, but over the past few years they have hit record levels.
EU DECODED: Should access to abortion be harmonised within EU?
For more than 60 years, Europe has led a global trend towards legal access to abortion. Fears of a reversal of this trend have led to the campaign “My Choice, My Voice”, a citizens’ initiative calling for action from the European Commission.
EU DECODED Will a European rush to rearm be properly funded?
The European Union wants to bolster defence in face of Russia's aggression on Ukraine and growing US demands for greater European financial support for NATO.
EU DECODED: How to balance rights to privacy with combatting online child sex abuse?
Child sexual abuse is a growing problem and crimes committed via the Internet make it much more difficult to combat. The EU is revising its the rules in an attempt to criminalise behaviour online as well as in the real world.
EU DECODED: Will the deal to end fake internships be reached by 2025?
In this episode, we focus on a directive on unpaid internships that aims to end the exploitation of around 1.5 million young Europeans.
EU DECODED: How and why is EU downgrading protection status of wolves?
In this episode we ask why the EU is determined to reduce the protected status of wolves, a species almost extinct in this part of the world about a century ago.
EU DECODED: New smoking trends could be affected by more restrictive rules
In this edition, we look at EU Member States' decision to adopt a recommendation reducing exposure to secondhand smoke in certain outdoor spaces. The aim is to not only ban traditional cigarettes, but also inhaled tobacco products.
EU DECODED: Taxing online platforms - fair game for VAT?
Online platforms for short-term rentals and transportation services, such as Airbnb and Uber, will have to charge VAT from 2030 at the latest, as the EU recently approved new rules for online services.
EU DECODED: Deforestation law’s trade-offs under negotiation
Can the goods we buy and the services we use affect the survival of the rainforest? The EU thinks so and this episode explores its new law on deforestation, which is provoking a backlash from companies and countries who are negotiating over how to delay the application of the new rules.
EU DECODED: Could lab-grown meat arrive in supermarkets soon?
In this episode we talk about new ways of manufacturing mankind’s primary source of protein: meat. The Netherlands, Spain and Germany lead the way in development of cell-based meat, but it has already been banned in Italy. So how urgently does the EU need to address common rules on the product?
EU DECODED: Will the Digital Euro strengthen financial security?
In this episode we talk about a new payment method that is being studied by the European Central Bank: the digital euro. Do we need another alternative for online payments and could this project have negative impacts on the banking system?
EU DECODED: Governments may try to delay action on air pollution
In this episode we talk about air pollution, the biggest environmental risk to health in the European Union. The Ambient Air Quality Directive has just been revised with stricter limits, but some member states may ask to postpone it under the pretext of protecting economic activity.
EU DECODED: How will future European Commissioners be 'vetted'?
In this episode, we explain what will happen in the confirmation hearings for the nominees for the future European Commission, which begin on 4 November at the European Parliament. To work with Ursula von der Leyen, they will have to pass an "exam," known as a "grilling".
EU DECODED: Pros and cons of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
The first episode of this programme that aims to decode the European Union (EU) legislative process explains why the European automotive industry is at a critical crossroads. Will tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles help competitiveness or trigger a trade war?