European Union Standards Research Articles

CONDITIONS FOR INTRODUCING A BANKING TAX IN POLAND

This article describes the main determining factors of the implementation of a bank tax in commercial banks that run their activities in Poland. It also considers the importance of legal regulations of the rules for collecting this tax. The global financial crisis of 2008 was an important factor that has stimulated the processes of improving legal regulations concerning banks. Weakening economic situation and higher risk caused the need to improve procedures and banking legal regulations of the financial transactions safety in Poland. Improvement of banking system financial procedures is correlated with gradually progressing globalization but also with anti-crisis socio-economic policy in Poland. Therefore, the level of adaptation of legal procedures and norms regarding commercial banks in Poland to the European Union standards and guidelines of the Basel Committee is continuously improving. One of the specific aspects of these adjustment processes was the introduction of a bank tax, which operates in most European Union countries. The introduction of this tax could be one of the factors determining the sale of subsidiary companies, i.e. banks that are controlled in Poland by foreign financial institutions. Therefore this can be an important factor, which would accelerate the process of repolonization of the banking sector in Poland. The economically effective introduction of a bank tax depends among other things on efficient legislative process.

Perspectives and Problems of Harmonizing Energy Legislation of Ukraine with the European Union Standards

Summary Essence, features and components of the energy market was investigated in the article. Regulatory support of energy efficiency and energy saving in the European Union and Ukraine was analyzed. Ukraine obligations due to the harmonization of the energy legislation with the EU standards were defined. Problems in the housing and communal services (HCS) as one of the largest consumers of energy resources were revealed.

Consumer Policy in Poland in the Period of Transformation

Abstract The article is based on an analysis of Polish and international legal acts, government programs and literature, and aims at presenting the concept and the scope of consumer policy in the period of systemic transformation in Poland. The publication features an analysis of the major factors shaping consumer policy in Poland in the years 1989-2004. Selected international legal acts affecting consumer protection in the years 1989-1997 were also analyzed. Elements of consumer policy present in selected governmental economic programs in the period of transformation were synthesized. It was assumed that consumer policy in the period of systemic transformation indirectly resulted from the economic policy of the government. Its shape was primarily affected by the social and economic transformation occurring since 1989 and the birth of free market economy. The process of adjusting the Polish legislation to the European Union standards, which began in 1991, and subsequent accession to the European Union in 2004 also played an important role.

Study Regarding the Efficacy of Unconventional Treatment Products Against the Main Wheat Kernels Pathogens

The raising of agriculture to European Union standards requires adaptation of agricultural production to quality standards that meet the demands and exigencies of consumers by obtaining healthy crops that fit into the rigors of food security. The biological material used was constituted of wheat kernels from three varieties cultivated at ARDS Turda. The biological control of wheat pathogens can be successfully achieved, in vitro, with plant extracts, and the maximum effect of this bioproducts was achieved in the case of the variants treated with, tee tree essential oil, garlic, arnica, Hypericum perforatum and propolis.

Divergence of European Union and Strasbourg Standards on Defence Rights in Criminal Proceedings? Ibrahim and the others v. the uk (13th of September 2016)

In Directive 2013/48/eu the standard for remedies applicable in cases the right of access to a lawyer has been violated was built on the European Court of Human Right’s judgment Salduz v. Turkey (27 November 2008). Shortly before the deadline to implement Directive 2013/48/eu, the Strasbourg Court handed down its judgment on Ibrahim and the others v. the uk (13 September 2016) significantly lowering this standard. In its ruling on 4 May 2016, the Supreme Court of Estonia interpreted the right of access to a case file upon arrest in conjunction with the Strasbourg case law, without considering that eu law might raise the standard. This article argues that the question whether to follow the Salduz- or Ibrahim-standard serves as a perfect opportunity for the European Court of Justice to clearly articulate that Strasbourg standards on defence rights form just a part of the foundation that eu standards consist of.

The Otherness of Turkey in European Integration

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses how Turkey’s otherness to European identity, as represented by the European Union (EU), was turned into an asset during the beginning of the AKP rule. To the extent that the AKP represented the Islamic cultural other against both the secular establishment of Turkey and the EU, its promise to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria and adopt EU norms and standards provided a possibility of ‘a model’ for the EU. This was the promise of a self-transforming cultural other becoming a part of the EU normative order and representing this system in its region. In the period between 2002 and 2005, there was a compromise on Turkey’s projected identity between the EU and the AKP. Yet this early promise and the ensuing compromise could not be sustained and realized in the following phases of the AKP rule. First stagnation between 2005 and 2010 and then a break wasted this promising new beginning.

Assessing the Risk of Leveraging Technology in Small Businesses Entering the European Union

Small businesses (SB's) with less than 50 employees contribute significantly to the gross national product of transition economy countries in European Union (EU) nations where they account for 99% of all businesses. The EU is recognized as a strong effective fluid international trade system of 28 members and seven applicant countries in the process of integrating. The key advantages of joining the EU include untaxed cross-border product/service trade, better social systems, and improved economic stability. There are seven countries in a high-risk situation of attempting to join the EU. The highest risk these seven countries face is to leverage technology to facilitate the increasing demands of regulation administration and commerce imposed by EU standards. The purpose of this study is to examine the ability of SB's in an integration EU country to overcome risk by leveraging technology. The authors use SB's in Albania as a national case study population.

Chinese Apples and the Emerging World Food Trade Order: Food Safety, International Trade, and Regulatory Collaboration between China and the European Union

China is among the world’s largest producers of apples. It has a potentially large export market around the world. However, differences in food safety standards, for example concerning pesticide residues, often pose serious challenges to Chinese exporters. Focusing mainly on Chinese exports of fresh apples to the European Union (EU), this article analyses these opportunities, related legal obstacles, and the increasingly successful strategies, both domestic and international, used by the Chinese government to meet these challenges associated with them. It considers the gradual alignment of Chinese standards with international standards, the Chinese export strategy based on government support for selected elite export companies, and the conclusion by the Chinese government of new bilateral agreements to open major new markets for Chinese businesses. In doing so, it traces interconnections between international, EU and Chinese food safety standards, China’s post-WTO-succession international trade strategies, the modernisation of Chinese agriculture, relations between public and private standards, the 16 1 arrangement between China and the Central and Eastern European Member States (CEECs) of the EU, China’s One Belt, One Road initiative (OBOR), and the development of a China-centred global food economy for apples. The result is an unusual form of regulatory collaboration between China and the EU. These factors are among the main drivers of transnational legal and economic relations in the international food trade today. They represent an emerging world food trade order.

Energy upgrading of buildings. A holistic approach for the Natural History Museum of Crete, Greece

This article presents the fundamental points of the accomplished work regarding the energy upgrading of the building of the Natural History Museum of Crete, Greece, based on a cluster of passive and active measures. The main target was the building's energy efficiency upgrading from D to A+ rank. Among the passive measures, insulation of the building's envelope, installation of new windows and doors, construction of a green roof and planting of an outdoor space at the south side of the building to improve the ambient climate locally are included. Furthermore, small wind turbines and a photovoltaic station on the roof, geothermal heat pumps with an open loop system operating with seawater, new lighting equipment controlled by a central management system and reactive power coefficient compensation constitute the proposed active systems. Energy saving percentages from 40% to 93% are achieved with all the proposed technologies. In total, the primary energy specific consumption is reduced from 273.65 kWh/m2 at 18.36 kWh/m2, giving a total energy saving percentage of 93.29%. The building's energy efficiency is upgraded from the rank D to the rank A+, according to the European Union's standards. The total cost of the proposed measures is estimated approximately at 900,000€.

PAHs in polystyrene food contact materials: An unintended consequence

Eight low-ring PAHs were detected in 21 polystyrene (PS) food contact materials (FCMs) samples while high-ring PAHs (>4 rings) were not found. This is because the reaction pathway for formation of high-ring PAHs consists of more steps than it does for low-high PAHs. The concentrations of Σ8PAH were from 18.9±5.16ng/g for product colorless fruit fork to 476±52.0ng/g for foam instant noodle container. These data were far beyond levels of PAHs in other plastics. Of the eight PAHs detected, Phe had the highest average concentration, followed by Nap. These two PAHs collectively accounted for over 80% of the Σ8PAH concentrations in all PS FCMs. Levels of Σ8PAH in expanded PS FCMs were higher than those in extruded ones due to utilization of foaming agent. The concentrations of Σ8PAH were lower in colorless PS FCMs than in colored ones. Auxochromes and chromophores contributed to the change of short-chain hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbon. Simulated migration values of PAHs from PS FCMs to food varied widely. The migration value of Σ8PAH with maximum probability was below 10ng/g, which the maximum tolerated migration level for substance according to the European Union standards. However, higher migration values were possible and the potential health risk should still be concerned because the simulated migration displayed a log-normal distribution. Furthermore, water was used as food simulant would always lead to an underestimate of PAHs migration to real daily food, and then lead to an underestimate of risk.

Biodiesel production from lignocellulosic biomass

Alkaline transesterification of Silybum marianum seed oil to biodiesel using methanol and ethanol was studied. The two methods used were conventional stirring (600 rpm) and ultrasonication (40 kHz). Oil was extracted from the seeds, followed by physico-chemical properties' determination and transesterification to biodiesel. The seeds contained 46% oil which had low free fatty acids (FFA) (0.68%). Linoleic acid (65.68%) was the main composition of the oil. Ultrasonication transesterification with methanol gave the highest yield (95.75%) after 20 min. Yields of methyl esters were higher than respective yields of ethyl esters. Using first order reaction kinetics model, the reaction rate constants were 2.3 × 10− 2 s− 1 and 7.0 × 10− 3 s− 1 for ultrasonication using methanol and ethanol, respectively. With the exception of oxidative stability (2.1 h) and iodine values (132-methyl and 133-ethyl esters), properties out of range but can easily be improved, the remaining properties including cetane number, flash point and the cold flow ones of both methyl and ethyl esters were similar and comparable to Chinese, ASTM and European Union standards. The findings of this study complement with the abundance of S. marianum oil at cultivation and silymarin industrial production as by-product indicates its potentially new non-edible feedstock for biodiesel.

Potential Use of Phoenix canariensis Biomass in Binderless Particleboards at Low Temperature and Pressure

Binderless particleboards of Phoenix canariensis were manufactured by hot pressing at a low temperature (120 °C) and low pressure (2.6 MPa). Nine different configurations were analyzed to study different palm tissues. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical and physical properties according to the procedures defined by the European Union (EN) standards. The microstructure of the raw material was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector for microanalysis (EDXA). The physical and mechanical behavior seemed to be influenced by the amount of parenchymatous tissue. Raw material and particle size have a profound effect on the board properties. The mechanism of self-bonding could have resulted from the high content of sugars, which were partly transformed into furfural. The use of this waste material could be beneficial to the environment because it is a method of carbon fixation, helping to decrease atmospheric CO2.

Integration Process of Bosnia and Herzegovina to European Union

This paper analyzes the main characteristics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) accession and its focus on integration of B&H to the European Union (EU). The main aim is to show major elements of B & H integration into EU as a potential candidate state. The paper consists of brief relationship between B&H and the EU, short several explanatory EU documents and analyses studies in this regard as well as reviews of B&H’s capacity to meet EU standards in line with the Interim Agreement/Stabilization and Association Agreement and the European Partnership. Even though peace, security, and stability are being seen as necessary prerequisite to stable B&H, primary issues are economical and political development as interconnected dependable variables. This paper will provide current insight about contemporary issues of B&H on its way to EU, highlight several key features that B&H must do alone in order to have possibility to apply for a membership. Recently EU and B&H have strengthened their relations in many areas whereas democratic process is being seen as crucial to prevent any future conflicts in the region. Finally, the paper makes a few recommendations and needed reforms for the faster integration of B&H to EU as B&H accession has no alternative.

Merit-based recruitment boosts good governance: how do European Union agencies recruit their personnel?

Studies show that public administrations that practise merit-based recruitment of their personnel are significantly less marked by corruption than administrations that do not recruit in this manner. While we know a lot about how EU member states score with regard to the degree of merit-based recruitment within their administrations, and also how the European Commission administration performs in this respect, recruitment practices within the increasing number of European Union regulatory (decentralized) agencies seem to remain a white spot in the literature so far. In this article, we make a first step in mapping recruitment practices within the secretariats of such agencies. We also investigate if it matters whether a European Union agency is located in a country marked by a non-meritocratic administrative culture or not. The article shows that European Union agencies seem to overwhelmingly apply meritocratic instruments when hiring people, regardless of their location. Points for practitioners This article argues and shows that recruitment based on merit enhances good and non-corrupt governance. The case in point is European Union agencies. The data presented illuminate that these agencies generally apply meritocratic instruments when hiring administrative staff. The study also shows that recruitment practices are not affected by the geographical location of European Union agencies. These agencies tend to practise the common merit-based European Union standards regardless of their location since agencies are components of the European Union administration.

Greening up: the effects of environmental standards in EU and US trade agreements

ABSTRACTCan environmental provisions in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) foster an environmental race to the top? The ways in which different enforcement mechanisms in North–South PTAs affect the implementation of environmental standards in developing countries are examined. It is argued that environmental provisions in European Union (EU) and United States (US) PTAs will be effective in instigating policy change in partner countries, although the timing of the effect will vary significantly. Fines and sanctions in US PTAs incentivize partner countries to reform during the negotiation process. Reform in EU PTA partners is predicted to occur during agreement implementation as a result of the EU’s policy dialogue approach. Illustrative evidence is provided and the hypotheses are tested using statistical estimations of EU and US PTAs with environmental provisions on developing countries’ environmental policy reform.

Kandungan Merkuri dalam Ikan Konsumsi di Wilayah Bantul dan Yogyakarta

<strong>Mercury Content in Commercial Fishes of Bantul Areas and Yogyakarta. </strong> Mercury Content in Commercial Fishes of Bantul Areas and Yogyakarta Fish is an important energy source for the body and has many functions for human health. Hence, the fish are highly favored for consumption by the public. However, the fish has the ability to accumulate heavy metals. One type of dangerous heavy metals and can accumulate in fish is mercury because it has high toxicity at low concentrations. The presence of contaminants from anthropogenic activities that are not processed previously, makes the fish a potential hoarder for heavy metals. This study examined the concentration of mercury in freshwater fish and saltwater fish consumed by the people of Bantul areas and Yogyakarta. Fish samples were collected on 29–30 August 2015 from Prawirotaman Market, supermarket, Embankment on the River Code, and purchased from fishermen in Depok Beach. Analysis of mercury concentrations in fish was done using mercury analyzer NIC MA-3000. The results indicated that the fish with the eating habits of benthivore and planktivore accumulated higher mercury than omninore and carnivore fish. The concentration of mercury in the fish examined does not exceed the threshold of the WHO standard, BPOM-RI, and European Union standards. However, the people need to be alert on mercury bioaccumulative properties, especially when consuming the fish having accumulated mercury continuously for a long time.

25-Hydroxyvitamin-D3 serum modulation after use of sunbeds compliant with European Union standards: A randomized open observational controlled trial

Regular use of sunbed exposure has been reported to increase 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 [25(OH)D] serum levels. However, the influence of sunbeds compliant with the recent EuropeanUnionstandard EN-60335-2-27 on 25(OH)D serum levels is unknown. We investigated the impact of standard sunbed use compliant with the European Union standard on 25(OH)D serum modulation and well-being. In a randomized controlled study, 25(OH)D serum levels were measured at enrollment, after 1week, and after completion of the 12-week period of sunbed use with twice weekly exposure and compared with the control group without any sunbed exposure. In the sunbed intervention group (N=31), a 27% increase of mean 25(OH)D levels was noted 1week after starting sunbed use (P<.01). However, after 12weeks, mean 25(OH)D levels had declined and were no longer different from baseline (P=.06). After 12weeks, 25(OH)D levels did not differ between the intervention and control group (P=.36). Also the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index score did not differ between the sunbed and control groups (P=.19). For ethical reasons recruitment was limited to persons actively seeking sunbed exposure. Standard use of sunbeds compliant with the European Union standard induced a transient increase of 25(OH)D levels, whereas no change in well-being was observed.

Quality of Wood‐Pressed Rapeseed Oil

AbstractThis study is the first report on the quality indices of Chinese wood‐pressed rapeseed oil. Nineteen representative wood‐pressed rapeseed oil samples (representing 80% of the factories that produce this oil in China) were collected and investigated for their physicochemical properties (acid value, peroxide value, color value, and oxidative stability index), fatty acid composition, as well as contents of tocopherols, phytosterols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aflatoxin B1, arsenic, and lead. Significant differences were observed in the quality results of 19 wood‐pressed rapeseed oil samples. The acid value, peroxide value, and color values, as well as the oxidative stability index were found in the ranges of 1.10–3.04 mg KOH/g, 0.84–9.34 mequiv O2/kg, 3.50–5.30 (Y = 35, R), and 4.43–10.34 h (120 °C), respectively. Sixteen of the analyzed oil samples had greater than 2% erucic acid. Tocopherols content ranged from 50.93 to 97.54 mg/100 g and phytosterols content ranged from 453.86 to 735.65 mg/100 g. Meanwhile, benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 were 1.00–13.57 and 7.47–33.55 μg/kg, respectively. Fourteen samples exceeded the maximum allowable limit of benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 (chrysene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluroranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) according to the European Union (EU) standards. However, the contents of aflatoxin B1, arsenic, and lead of the tested oil samples were all in conformance with the EU, Codex Alimentarius, and China national standards. Results showed that more attention should be paid to the problem of high PAH4 contents in wood‐pressed rapeseed oil. The inspection and monitoring of raw materials and processing equipment, as well as the establishment of quality standards for the production of high‐quality wood‐pressed rapeseed oil are necessary.

Quality Control of Honey Using New Generation Infrared Spectrometers

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid infrared technique to determine 10 key quality parameters (sucrose, glucose, fructose, reducing sugar, 5-HMF, °Brix, moisture content, water activity, pH and free acidity) in honey by using new generation portable and handheld devices. The composition of honey samples (n=59) collected from different parts of Turkey was analyzed by using established reference methods, giving wide range of concentrations for each parameter. The levels of sucrose and 5-HMF in some samples were above the established regulatory limits (Codex Alimentarius and European Union standards), indicating possible adulteration or process and storage abuse. Spectra were collected by using portable Fourier-Transformed infrared (FTIR) and handheld NIR (Near Infrared) spectrometers. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) approach was used to correlate the spectral features with compositional reference values, giving strong linear correlation coefficients and standard errors of prediction. Although both systems performed similarly, portable FTIR system was superior in predictions of sucrose, 5-HMF and free acidity while portable NIR system performed noticeably better for °Brix and moisture content. The data indicates that all of the 10 parameters can be measured within the minutes using both systems, providing reliable screening capabilities, flexibility and the potential for in-field applications.

A spatial equilibrium analysis for the possible regional impacts of the European Union full membership on the Turkey's dairy industry

In the study, the potential regional impacts of the European Union full memberships on the Turkey’s dairy sector were analysed using a Spatial Equilibrium Model with 12 NUTS 1 regions as well as the European Union as being another region. According to the results, Turkey starts importing butter mainly to the Istanbul region and powder milk to the Black Sea regions, while exporting white cheese from Istanbul and plain yoghurt from the Central Anatolia and the North-eastern Anatolian regions. In the process of the European Union full membership, agricultural policies must focus on the enhancement of milk productivity to decrease the cost and to improve hygiene to meet the European Union standards for a smooth accession.