European Parliament

Science|Business pores over the contents of the main party groupings’ short manifestos, finding common goals and little appetite for controversy

Faulty hip and breast implant scandals prompt stricter monitoring and certification for new devices

For years the US government used public sector procurement to drive innovation. Now new EU rules will “end the dictatorship of the lowest price” allowing innovation to count in assessing bids. And simplified bidding will make it easier for SMEs to compete

Defeated in the budget and costing stakes, MEPs Christian Ehler and Maria da Graça Carvalho remain hopeful that a bottom-up approach and support for SMEs can open up Europe’s latest R&D programme to new participants

There’s been progress under the Irish Presidency, but with a key vote postponed until October, there is still no consensus on much-needed new data protection rules

Europe’s attempt to unify rules on clinical trials in the 2001 Directive is widely acknowledged to be a disaster. After years of debate, the Commission’s proposals for reform are getting a favourable reception, but it is critical the new regulation takes account of emerging technologies

Members of the European Parliament assess the strengths and weaknesses - and question aspects of the Commission’s Horizon 2020 plan

Brussels should deal only with the broad overarching strategy of the EU’s R&D agenda, with new scientific steering committees appointed to see to the details, key MEPs tell Science|Business

EU lawmakers want leading figures in Europe’s research and innovation programmes to make regular appearances before Parliament, influential MEPs tell Science|Business

Strasbourg should become the EU’s innovation capital, say MEPs. The proposal is an attempt to break the deadlock with France about the seat of the European Parliament