The European Parliament has blocked changes to nutrition labelling that would have allowed new "percentage less" claims on sugar, salt and fat content. The new labels could have confused or misled consumers, said a resolution voted by MEPs on Thursday.

Improvements in water quality in the EU could be at risk from new forms of chemical pollution. The Commission is proposing to add 15 chemicals to the list of 33 pollutants that are monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. This is another step towards improving the quality of our river, lake and coastal waters. The 15 substances include industrial chemicals as well as substances used in biocides, pharmaceuticals and plant protection products. They have been selected on the basis of scientific evidence that they may pose a significant risk to health.

Nine EU directives covering a wide variety of products will ensure better product safety. The sectors concerned are electrical and electronic products, lifts, measuring instruments, civil explosives, pyrotechnic articles and equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The use of additives in food will soon become even safer and more transparent than it currently is thanks to two pieces of legislation adopted by the European Commission.

Commission sets out new safety standards for offshore oil and gas operations

European Commission breaks new ground with a common definition

World Standards Day 2011 Conference "Competitiveness through standardisation", 14 October 2011 in Brussels

On 29 September the Council adopted a new EU regulation on food information, which sets down additional labelling requirements to help consumers make healthier and better informed choices.