The European Commission and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPIA) formed a public-private partnership and began to implementing the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI).
The overall objective of this project is to facilitate the development of new medicine. IMI has a budget of Euro 2 billions until 2013.
In 2008 grants amounting to €123 million will be handled to the most promising research projects in the areas of brain disorders, metabolic and inflammatory disease. In future calls cancer and infectious disease would also be covered.
Further information together with calls for proposals kindly visit www.imi.europa.eu
A draft directive which was discussed during the Internal Affairs Council, introduces criminal penalties in cases involving the employment of illegal third country nationals. The Member States (MS) have expressed mixed views over the minimum harmonisation of criminal penalties and the inspections to be carried out in various sectors of activity.
Employers should be obliged to make the necessary checks prior to recruiting third, while MS should effect a minimum number of inspections on companies. This ensures that the EU is not seen as a source for illegal workers or as a haven for their exploitation. Following the adoption of the "returns" directive, the first part of the action against illegal immigration has already been dealt with, while the sequential adoption of the "penalties directive" would spur other MS to take further action against the problem of illegal immigration.
EU Commissioner on Immigration Jacques Barrot has proposed that a set of minimum penalties be imposed on employers hiring illegal workers. Malta, understandably, is among those southern EU countries which support the Presidency's compromise.
On the other hand, The Netherlands and Lithuania agree that the employment of illegal immigrants should be seen as a criminal offence, while effective checks in those companies most likely to employ illegal immigrants will be put into effect.
The debate focused on the importance of effective measures and on how these should be implemented intelligently, as well as on the link between the principle of subsidiarity and the sanctions set out by the proposed directive.
Following the French relative to cosmetic products to provisionally ban the use of vitamin K1 in cosmetic products, the SCCP delivered an opinion on 28 September 2007.
It concluded that: "Because of the inadequate nature of the dossier submitted, the SCCP is unable to provide an adequate safety. However, as such use may cause cutaneous allergy, individuals so affected may be denied an important therapeutic agent".
A public consultation on a possible ban of phytonadione was opened from 13 November to 21 December 2007. In view of the answers received a new consultation of the SCCP occurred. It delivered its final opinion and concluded that: "the studies provided on the allergenic potential of Vitamin K1 did not supersede the concerns stated in the opinion.
The SCCP maintains the view that use of Vitamin K1 in cosmetic products is not safe, since it may cause cutaneous allergy and individuals so affected may be denied an important therapeutic agent".
The Commission invites entities registered in the European Union being public and/or private bodies, actors and institutions to present proposals for the LIFE+ call for proposals 2008 till the 21 November 2008.
Proposals must be written on specific application forms. These forms and the application guide that includes detailed explanations in regard to eligibility and procedures can be obtained by calling our offices or emailing on .
The following themes are covered
1. LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity
To protect, conserve, restore, monitor and facilitate the functioning of natural systems, natural habitats, wild flora and fauna, with the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity, including diversity of genetic resources, within the EU by 2010.
2. LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance
– Climate change: To stabilise greenhouse gas concentration at a level that prevents global warming above 2 °C.
– Water: To contribute to enhanced water quality by developing cost-effective measures to achieve good ecological status in view of developing the first river basin management plan under Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Water Framework Directive) by 2009.
– Air: To achieve levels of air quality that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on and risks to human health and the environment.
– Soil: To protect and to ensure the sustainable use of soil by preserving soil functions, preventing threats to soil, mitigating their effects and restoring degraded soils.
– Urban environment: To contribute to improving the environmental performance of Europe's urban areas.
– Noise: To contribute to policy development and implementation on environmental noise. C 178/22 EN Official Journal of the European Union 15.7.2008
– Chemicals: To improve the protection of environment and health from risks posed by chemicals by 2020 by implementing chemicals legislation, in particular Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (REACH) and the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides.
– Environment and health: To develop the information base for policy on the environment and health.
– Natural resources and waste: To develop and implement policies designed to ensure sustainable management and use of natural resources and waste, and to improve the environmental performances of products, sustainable production and consumption patterns, waste prevention, recovery and recycling; to contribute to the effective implementation of the Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste.
– Forests: To provide, especially through an EU coordination network, a concise and comprehensive basis for policy relevant information on forests in relation to climate change (impact on forest ecosystems, mitigation, substitution effects), biodiversity (baseline information and protected forest areas), forest fires, forest conditions and the protective functions of forests (water, soil and infrastructure) as well as contributing to the protection of forests against fires.
– Innovation: To contribute to developing and demonstrating innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments to assist in the implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP).
– Strategic approaches: To promote the effective implementation and enforcement of Community environmental legislation and improve the knowledge base for environmental policy; to improve the environmental performance of SMEs.
Whilst any project proposal dealing with the above-mentioned principal objectives is welcome, the Commission would favour those dealing with climate change.
3. LIFE+ Information and Communication
To disseminate information and raise awareness on environmental issues, including forest fire prevention; and to provide support for accompanying measures, such as information, communication actions and campaigns, conferences and training, including training on forest fire prevention.
Whilst any project proposal dealing with the above-mentioned principal objective is welcome, the Commission would favour those dealing with halting the loss of biodiversity.
EU Co-financing rates
The rate of Community financial support shall be a maximum of 50 % of the eligible costs.
Consistency and hard work have at last bore fruit.
Green MT Limited has obtained a permit to operate a Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme (WM 00019/07).
This permit places beyond any doubt the heresy, that Green MT Ltd. would not have the said permit, stated a few weeks back by others in the industry.
Green MT Limited is now the first and only company to hold two permits in Waste Management Schemes. Green MT not only is in possession of a permit to operate a Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme but also a permit for the operation of a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Scheme.
The way ahead now is for trade industry, individual traders and importers to make sure that they have registered with the Competent Authority, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), as producers and then make sure they join Green MT Limited.
Green MT Ltd. will undertake your environmental legal obligations with the best available technologies at the lowest of cost. Green MT Ltd. is an assurance of best practice.
Green MT Limited will shortly hold a Press Conference in relation to this very important subject. This will be followed by a launch for which all stakeholders will be invited.
Green MT Limited also looks forward to a bold step by Government, the immediate issue of the application, which will exempt those traders now paying Eco Contribution, so that they become liable financially to an Authorized Scheme.
Green MT Limited envisages the most cost effective Scheme in the market. We will deliver our responsibility with an audit trial. Malta is now without fail facing its test in the environment sector.
We need to face up to our responsibility and through Green MT Ltd., our members will be able to concentrate on their business whilst we shoulder their environmental obligations.
The CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) office within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would like to inform all importers and exporters requiring its services of the new office opening hours, and licences processing procedures.
Endorsement of Customs entry forms
The CITES office will be open for the endorsement of Customs entry forms every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm, safeguarding public holidays. Exceptions to this three day system will only be granted for occasional late/early entries of perishable goods, provided that this office is informed with the entry at the earliest.
Processing of Import Licences
Import licences which are up for renewal may be brought at the office during these stipulated times. Licenses are processed on a first come first served basis and the Authority has a maximum of 60 working days to process these licences. Thus it is encouraged that licenses are submitted in a way so as to allow for the necessary time.
The new two-track processing system
The CITES office would like to introduce a new two track system:
The Fast Track- for licences with a list of species which has/have been previously processed by this office; and
The New Species Track – for licences of new species which will be processed under the normal procedure. Such procedure may be lengthy at times due to the assistance required from third parties.
The Fast Track
Importers who wish to avail themselves of the fast track option are requested to bring their old licence with them in order to prove that the species being applied for, has/have been previously accepted. The estimated processing time for such licences depends on the nature of the application, and may range from 5 to 30 working days from the submission of the licences.
The New Species Track
Licences for the import of new species will be processed through this track in order to reduce the processing time for commonly imported species. Importers who may wish to import new species are also requested to provide adequate scientific information and references on each new species and send this information by email to . This will further reduce the processing time.
The new opening hours were issued in order for the CITES office on a trial period so as to speed up the delivery process and enable the MEPA officials to have adequate time to process import licences and CITES certification on Tuesdays and Thursdays. CITES Customs assistance are also being targeted to take place on these days in order not to disrupt the office opening hours.
MEPA will be discussing this matter with GRTU and interested parties in the coming days with the aim of ameliorating further the service. It would also like to thank all importers and exporters for their co-operation with respect to these new CITES office opening hours.
Further information can be obtained be calling Carmen Borg at our offices or emailing on .
The CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) office within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would like to inform all importers and exporters requiring its services of the new office opening hours, and licences processing procedures.
Endorsement of Customs entry forms
The CITES office will be open for the endorsement of Customs entry forms every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm, safeguarding public holidays. Exceptions to this three day system will only be granted for occasional late/early entries of perishable goods, provided that this office is informed with the entry at the earliest.
Processing of Import Licences
Import licences which are up for renewal may be brought at the office during these stipulated times. Licenses are processed on a first come first served basis and the Authority has a maximum of 60 working days to process these licences. Thus it is encouraged that licenses are submitted in a way so as to allow for the necessary time.
The new two-track processing system
The CITES office would like to introduce a new two track system:
The Fast Track- for licences with a list of species which has/have been previously processed by this office; and
The New Species Track – for licences of new species which will be processed under the normal procedure. Such procedure may be lengthy at times due to the assistance required from third parties.
The Fast Track
Importers who wish to avail themselves of the fast track option are requested to bring their old licence with them in order to prove that the species being applied for, has/have been previously accepted. The estimated processing time for such licences depends on the nature of the application, and may range from 5 to 30 working days from the submission of the licences.
The New Species Track
Licences for the import of new species will be processed through this track in order to reduce the processing time for commonly imported species. Importers who may wish to import new species are also requested to provide adequate scientific information and references on each new species and send this information by email to . This will further reduce the processing time.
The new opening hours were issued in order for the CITES office on a trial period so as to speed up the delivery process and enable the MEPA officials to have adequate time to process import licences and CITES certification on Tuesdays and Thursdays. CITES Customs assistance are also being targeted to take place on these days in order not to disrupt the office opening hours.
MEPA will be discussing this matter with GRTU and interested parties in the coming days with the aim of ameliorating further the service. It would also like to thank all importers and exporters for their co-operation with respect to these new CITES office opening hours.
Further information can be obtained be calling Carmen Borg at our offices or emailing on .
IPMD_bring innovative system and services to the workplace: Research and development of economic and smart system to measure, collect, and analyze the risk factors automatically _ Identifying and Preventing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD)
The European Commission is organizing a half-day seminar in Malta on the 25th September between 8.30 and 13.00 regarding the amendment of Directive 98/34/EC.
The Directive sets up a procedure which imposes an obligation upon the Member States to notify to the Commission and to each other all the draft technical regulations concerning products and Information Society Services before they are adopted in national law.
Such procedure aims at providing transparency and control with regard
to those regulations. Since they could create unjustified barriers
between Member States, their notification in the draft form and
subsequent evaluation of their content in the course of the procedure
help to diminish this risk.
There will also be time for questions to be set to the European Commission's representatives.
Should you be interested in the seminar contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU offices or email on .
An initiative aimed at supporting EU companies as they seek to gain a foothold in Japanese and Korean markets is now available.
Deloitte, a company with whom GRTU collaborates frequently, was recently appointed be the European Commission to support the implementation of this programme. Deloitte will support the process of recruiting organisations to take part in sectoral trade one week business "missions" to Japan and Korea.
Companies that are interested and eligible will receive EU funding, professional international business coaching and the opportunity to spend time in these countries showcasing products and meeting potential business partners.
Business Missions are being organised in the following sectors:
Construction and Building Technologies
Fashion Design
Healthcare and Medical Technologies
Interior Design
ICT
You can apply for participation in an EU Gateway Business Mission if your company fulfils the following criteria:
Has existed for at least 5 years
Is fully or majority-owned by EU capital
Is located and has its main activities in the EU
Is active in one of the sectors covered in the programme
Has a proven record of international business cooperation
Has a solid business strategy for entering the Japanese and/or Korean markets
Has a sufficient turnover and number of people employed to guarantee a market entry to Japan and/or Korea
Full information about this programme is available by contacting our offices or emailing to Abigail Mamo on .
The European Commission and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPIA) formed a public-private partnership and began to implementing the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI).
A draft directive which was discussed during the Internal Affairs Council, introduces criminal penalties in cases involving the employment of illegal third country nationals. The Member States (MS) have expressed mixed views over the minimum harmonisation of criminal penalties and the inspections to be carried out in various sectors of activity.
The CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) office within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority would like to inform all importers and exporters requiring its services of the new office opening hours, and licences processing procedures.
An initiative aimed at supporting EU companies as they seek to gain a foothold in Japanese and Korean markets is now available.
