The European Commission's Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union has introduced the EU Sanctions Helpdesk, a free service providing sanctions compliance support to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The service offers due diligence assistance concerning queries about specific transactions, counterparties, and compliance requirements. The Helpdesk aims to help firms navigate EU restrictive measures, including recent changes such as the lifting of Syrian sanctions, through detailed guidance and resources.

The European Commission has launched an initiative to improve the quality of traineeships in the EU. The initiative consists of a proposal for a Directive on improving and enforcing working conditions for trainees and combatting regular employee relationships disguised as traineeships and a proposal to revise the 2014 Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships to address issues of quality and inclusiveness like fair pay and access to social protection. The proposed Directive will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and Member States and the Recommendation will be presented to the Council of the EU for consideration and adoption.

The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Temu to determine whether it has breached the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA). The investigation will assess the measures Temu has in place to restrict the sale of non-compliant goods and products, the addictive designs of services such as game-like rewards programmes, compliance with EU DSA obligations related to recommending content to users, and the provision of access to data. If Temu is found to have breached its obligations under the EU DSA, enforcement action can be taken against it. The duration of the investigation depends on the complexity of the case and cooperation with the Commission.

The European Commission has launched a new tool called the 'Procurement for Buyers', an online platform that provides easy access to information on the rules governing public procurement for contracting entities in Member States. The tool will also function as a portal for public procurement entities in Member States, to ensure they understand and apply international procurement rules clearly and consistently. It will provide information to contracting entities on which bidders are eligible to participate in public procurement procedures in Member States, based on the provisions of the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and bilateral EU trade agreements.

The European Commission has launched non-compliance investigations under the EU Digital Markets Act (EU DMA) into Alphabet's and Apple's steering rules, Alphabet's measures to prevent self-preferencing, Apple's compliance with user choice obligations and Meta's ‘pay or consent’ model. The Commission also opened an investigation into Apple's new fee structure for alternative app stores and Amazon's ranking practices on its marketplace. The Commission suspected that the measures the gatekeepers put in place were not in compliance with their obligations under the EU DMA and has ordered the gatekeepers to retain specific documents to monitor the effective implementation and compliance with their obligations. The Commission will conclude the investigations within 12 months and may inform the concerned gatekeepers of its preliminary findings and highlight the measures it is considering taking or the measures gatekeeper should take.

The European Commission has launched the pilot mechanism to improve investments and boost the hydrogen market. The hydrogen pilot mechanism will collate, process and provide access to information on demand and supply for renewable, low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives, and gather process market data on the development of hydrogen flows and prices. This will be part of the European Hydrogen Bank, and in place for five years, with plans to begin operations by mid-2025.

The European Commission has launched a consultation to support its evaluation of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (Whistleblower Protection Directive), the evaluation will assess the directive’s application in all EU Member States since its adoption in 2019. It will be led by the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The consultation closes on 22 April 2026.

The European Commission has launched a survey to extend the scope of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2226 to permit electronic Instructions for Use (eIFU). The survey seeks feedback on expanding the use of eIFUs and aims to collect opinions on eIFU for non-professional devices. The expected advantages of electronic formats would be that they facilitate the inclusion of multiple languages, which increases device availability and reduces shortages, and they would provide cost savings for both manufacturers and healthcare institutions, as the need for printing, distribution, storage and waste management of paper IFU is significantly reduced and is more environmentally sustainable. The survey closes on 11 October 2024.

The European Commission has made TikTok's commitments binding to permanently withdraw its TikTok Lite Rewards programme from the EU and not to launch any other programme which would circumvent this withdrawal. TikTok has made these commitments to address the concerns raised by the Commission in the formal proceedings opened against it on 22 April 2024 and to ensure compliance with Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA). As these commitments are legally binding, any breach would immediately amount to a breach of the EU DSA and could therefore lead to fines. The Commission will carefully monitor TikTok's compliance under article 71 of the EU DSA, as well as with its other obligations under the EU DSA. The Commission's formal proceedings opened against TikTok under the EU DSA on 19 February 2024 remain ongoing.

The European Commission has announced that the first 19 designated very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large search engines (VLOSEs) must publish their inaugural annual risk assessment and audit reports under the Digital Services Act (DSA). These reports are required to detail the providers' assessments of risks stemming from their services, such as illegal content dissemination and threats to minors, as well as outline mitigation measures. The Commission aims to foster greater transparency and accountability in the tech sector through these publications, with stakeholder workshops planned for early 2025 to discuss the findings.

The European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network have formally notified Apple of potential breaches of Regulation (EU) 2018/302 (the EU Geo-blocking Regulation) and Directive 2006/123/EC (the Services Directive on its media services), which prohibit unjustified discrimination based on nationality or residence. The alleged violations include restricting online access, payment methods, and app downloads based on users' countries within the EU/EEA. Apple has been given one month to respond and propose remedial actions. If unresolved, national authorities may pursue enforcement measures to ensure compliance.

The European Commission has, in support of the solar sector, obtained signatures from 23 Member States for the new European Solar Charter at the informal Energy Council meeting. The Charter, by setting out voluntary commitments to support the photovoltaic manufacturing sector, ensures the green transition, enhances competitiveness of the sector and creates new jobs. This marks the latest step in the Commission’s efforts to support solar panel manufacturing in Europe, with the Net-Zero Industry Act proposal and the establishment of the European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance being previous efforts.