The European Union issues a host of Regulations and Directives, which have a significant impact on our daily lives. Thanks to the European Union we have the euro, safe drinking water and Erasmus but also development cooperation, protected regional products and cheaper calls.
The European Union (EU) has much more influence on your daily life than you may think. 70% of our legislation is originally European!
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Did you know that the European Union also ensures that …
- … students can study abroad for a year thanks to the Erasmus exchange programme.
- …organic produce in all EU countries has to meet the same rigorous standards and should feature the EU bio logo.
- …hens can no longer be kept in battery cages from 2013.
- … all labels of foods contain the same information on the composition of the product, the manufacturer and the instructions for storage and preparation.
- … drinking water and bathing water comply with the same rigorous standards in all EU countries.
- … regional products such as the ‘Ghent azalea’, ‘Geraardsbergse mattentaart’ (a type of sweet pastry made with matten paste) and ‘Brusselse grondwitloof’ (chicory) are protected. Azaleas, mattentaart-type tarts and chicory with this name have to comply with rigorous conditions and come respectively from Ghent, Geraardsbergen or Brussels.
- … you will see maximum 12 minutes of advertising per hour on TV.
- … we are able to tackle environmental issues across borders. The transposition of European Directives into regional legislation is thus an important challenge for Flemish, Walloon and Brussels environment ministers.
- … it is easier and cheaper to make mobile calls. Texting from abroad for example will be up to three times cheaper than it used to be on average in the past. Moreover you will soon be able to use your charger for any mobile phone.
- … illnesses such as Alzheimer and flu are easier to treat thanks to European investments in innovative medicine.
- … we emit 32 million tons less of CO2 thanks to the European ban on the sale of incandescent light bulbs.
- … the EU accounts for almost 60 % of worldwide development cooperation and thus is the biggest donor worldwide.
- … you can return almost all products that you buy online within seven working days without having to cite a reason for the return.