Q3 2024 news Featuring:
AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Welcome to the Q3 edition of EU Business News, providing you with all the latest news, features, and informative pieces from across the European Union. Here we are, three-quarters of the way through 2024, and the European market is as vibrant as ever, with its myriad of exciting cultures and economies that come with their own unique difficulties and advantages for businesses. The EU is made up of approximately 450 million people, with a GDP of around €15 trillion, and it has the great benefit of being able to freely transfer goods, services, and capital across national borders. Notably, contributing positively to Paris’ economy currently is the Olympic Games 2024. As the host city of the Games, it is expected to earn between €6.7 and €11.1 billion. The ambition behind Paris 2024 is to create economic opportunities for all its people, from boosting local employment and business to helping individuals gain new skills. Indeed, there is a lot to be excited about – and, in this issue of EU Business News, we are delighted to be featuring our award-winning businesses in the form of an interior design studio and a gas and electricity retail consultancy, both of which are from Ireland. We hope you enjoy getting to know their stories and discovering all that has led them to achieve the brilliant success they see today. We wish you a wonderful remainder to Q3 and look forward to welcoming you back again soon for more insightful updates from the world of EU business. Rebecca Scotland, Editor Website: www.eubusinessnews.com Q3 2024
4. News 6. MM Interior Design: Most Innovative Residential Interior Design Studio - Munster 7. Oak Hall Consulting Ltd: Best Gas & Electricity Retail Consultants 2024 - Ireland 8. The Alarming Global Growth Of Online Fraud Revealed 10. DeepL launches new French and Spanish AI writing assistant to improve business communications 11. Election Year: How To Use Direct Mail In Political Campaigns 12. New Tech Can Help With Mandatory Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) Compliance 13. The British Passport Post-Brexit: A MythBusting Guide To Working Holidays and Adventures Abroad 14. Going Green: The Effects of LEZs Across European Cities Contents
NEWS BSI receives ISO 37001 certification from Speeki Europe S peeki Europe, a leading certification body specialising in ethical and compliance certifications, has certified the British Standards Institution (BSI) for ISO 37001. ISO 37001 stands out as a globally recognised standard. It guides organisations in establishing, implementing and maintaining an anti-bribery management system that provides a comprehensive approach to mitigating bribery risks. BSI pioneered the definition of the ISO 37001 standard by being the first standardisation national body to draft a standard to address bribery prevention (the forefather standard BS 10500). BSI then played a key role in transitioning to an international standard. Selecting the right certification body is pivotal in ensuring the credibility of the certification process. Organisations should carefully consider factors such as reputation, expertise, accreditation and global recognition when making this choice. When BSI decided to certify its own antibribery management system, it chose Speeki Europe due to Speeki's expertise in ISO certifications and its commitment to ethical standards. 'At Speeki Europe, we are dedicated to assisting organisations in elevating their anti-bribery compliance through ISO 37001 certification,' says Scott Lane, CEO and Founder of Speeki Europe. 'Our comprehensive approach and unyielding commitment to excellence empower businesses worldwide to not only meet but surpass global anti-bribery standards.' Magdalena Duke, General Counsel at BSI, says, 'At BSI, integrity is at the heart of our purpose. It not only serves as a fundamental pillar of our own operations but underpins the services we deliver to our clients and stakeholders. Achieving ISO 37001 certification reflects our dedication to addressing one of the most significant challenges that organisations face today, as well as our commitment to building a better future for society.' As an ISO-accredited certification body, Speeki Europe is a leader in ESG assurance, providing ESG report assurance, corporate due diligence assurance and ISO services for ISO 26000, ISO 31000, ISO 37000, ISO 37001, ISO 37002, ISO 37003, ISO 37008 and ISO 37301. Speeki Europe is known for certifying the leading companies globally, including the recent ISO 37001 certification for major United Kingdom energy provider ScottishPower. Visit this page for more information about Speeki's anti-bribery certification offerings. For media enquiries or further details, please contact Speeki's Marketing Director Ana Garcia.
NEWS Nuvei introduces off-ramping of Digital Assets to cards via Mastercard Move in Europe Consumers are able to seamlessly convert assets such as cryptocurrencies into fiat funds Nuvei Corporation, the Canadian fintech company, announces a partnership with Mastercard to launch a new off-ramping solution that enables consumers in Europe to seamlessly convert their Digital Assets, including cryptocurrencies, into traditional fiat currency via debit, credit and prepaid cards. This new functionality provides a bridge between digital and traditional finance that can be spent via Mastercard's global network. This off-ramping solution is integrated directly into Nuvei's modular payment platform, delivering a simple, secure user experience. The off-ramping process is designed to be rapid and user-friendly. Consumers can seamlessly convert a wide range of supported Digital Assets into fiat currency. They can then transfer the funds to their eligible Mastercard in near real-time*, leveraging Mastercard Move's money movement capabilities. No longer requiring third-party exchanges or money service businesses, this integrated solution simplifies transforming digital value into global spending circulation. "We're excited to collaborate with Mastercard to accommodate access liquidity and payments for Digital Asset holders," commented Philip Fayer, Chair and CEO of Nuvei. "Our mission is to enable businesses and their customers to connect through payments, wherever consumers are and however they want to pay. Offering crypto offramps through our single integration aligns perfectly with this mission to facilitate frictionless transactions across the digital economy." "Enabling choice how consumers can engage in Digital Assets in a safe, simple and secure manner in line with all relevant regulation is at the heart of our strategy in this space," added Christian Rau, Senior Vice President, Fintech and Crypto Enablement, Mastercard Europe. "Combining our global network of partners and digital solutions with Nuvei's advanced integration opens new opportunities and choice for businesses engaging in digital assets and consumers alike." Nuvei's off-ramp solution with Mastercard is the latest example of its strategy to connect the worlds of traditional payments, open banking and blockchain technology into one seamless experience. *Actual posting times for approved transactions will depend on the receiving financial institution
EU Business News- Q3 2024 Most Innovative Residential Interior Design Studio - Munster MM Interior Design invites its clients to transform their houses into homes, using the unrivalled skill and keen eye for detail that Founder Mariola Mialkowska and her team of qualified architects and interior designers embody at every turn. Acting on their vision of designing made-to-measure homes for every client, the interiors crafted by this team all bear the mark of Mariola’s timeless style and are underpinned by her guiding philosophy. Blending convenience and aesthetic prowess with maximum functionality, this Cork design studio unlocks a new world of possibilities for its clients. For more than 20 years, MM Interior Design has been unapologetically dominating in this sphere, affording its signature brand of luxury interior services to homes and businesses in need of that something extra that only a remarkable interior designer like Mariola can put their finger on. Blending this personal approach with a complex suite of services and unwavering attention that remains steadfast even down to the most minute detail, examples of the firm’s work can be found throughout its native Ireland to as far away as Dubai. Taking an encompassing approach to operating across interior design landscapes, Mariola and her team handle every element of this process, beginning with any and all planning needs. From interviewing a client to fully understand their desires and their budget, to creating an inventory of existing items to be reused, MM Interior Design’s comprehensive plans ensure that all measurements are taken, detailed space plans and layouts are crafted, and that a project’s timeline is developed as accurately as it can possibly be. When it comes to the designs themselves, the studio can help further by assisting in analyses of materials, finishes, and furnishings, offering recommendations that are anchored in two decades of experience, and even buying the furniture itself, often securing the best price in the process. The expertise of Mariola and co. means that they are also able to coordinate all of the layouts that they decide in accordance with a space’s lighting and electrical conditions, before topping things off with a range of art and decorations that reflect a client’s personality. Lastly, MM Interior Design is also incredibly well-versed when it comes to documentation and project management. So, from maintaining the schedule to providing on-site inspections, checklists, and the final hand over, as well as all necessary plans and schedules, this team have everything covered. It is as a result of this hands-on and full service that the studio has secured such big-name partner brands as Laura Ashley, Roberto Cavalli, and Paul Costello Living, as well as Cork Lighting & Interiors, which demonstrates its local commitment. Balancing the scales by expanding internationally but not forgetting its roots, many of the studio’s recent projects have been located in and around Cork, with a number of luxurious kitchens, bathrooms, and interior extensions having all been completed over the past year or so. But when international clients do come calling, there is no obstacle that could keep Mariola and her staff from reaching them. Leveraging the latest technologies and efficient communication, MM Interior Design’s services traverse borders and oceans with ease. Famous interior designer Rose Tarlow once said: “When you’re building a room, you’re building a character, and character is the strength and wisdom of a home.” Personifying this with every build, MM Interior Design’s distinction is corroborated further by testimonials from clients. As one client, Marta, said, “Mariola is the best! My house is beautiful because of her! I recommend MM Interior Design Cork to everybody.” This acclaim does not end here, with the studio having also featured in an array of local and international publications. On the back of this, arguably the biggest achievement of Mariola’s career so far came in late 2019, when MM Interior Design was recognised as a winner at the first Home Staging HAS UK & Ireland competition that took place at London’s Waldorf Hilton. Named as having the best customer service, the studio was one of just 13 winners on the night, underpinning its excellence in this space. By championing it as the Most Innovative Residential Interior Design Studio – Munster, we are proud to be adding to MM Interior Design’s achievements. Contact Details Contact: Mariola Mialkowska Company: MM Interior Design Web Address: https://mminteriordesign.ie/ Mar24282
Jul22493 7. Jul22493 Branching out into a new market is quite possibly one of the most exciting periods of a company’s tenure. Faced with boundless potential and possibilities aplenty, one is able to take what they already know and apply it to an entirely new landscape rich with opportunities. Only, as with any major change, there comes uncertainty – an uncertainty that must be quelled in order to thrive. Developed as a means to respond to this very concern is the award-winning Oak Hall Consulting Ltd. Equipped with over eleven years of experience in working alongside New Entrants across Ireland, this supportive organisation promises to make business transitions as seamless as possible. Established by the exemplary Jessica Gregory in 2016, Oak Hall Consulting is a Dublin-based consultancy whose invaluable input has influenced clients across the UK and EU’s gas and electricity industries. Though small in nature, this award-winning collective has spent its years accumulating a vast skillset that, when applied to its clients’ businesses, is able to foster growth, regardless of how drastic a transition they may be facing. In essence, Oak Hall Consulting prides itself on removing the uncertainty from change, securing an effortless transformation process for all manner of clients. Specialising in market entry, Oak Hall Consulting presents a plethora of assistive services and steadfast solutions to businesses seeking out opportunities within the gas and electricity trade. Whether they are pre-established collectives hoping to evolve beyond their current position, or are fresh start-ups yearning to enter onto the scene with eye-catching flair, Oak Hall Consulting is prepared to go the extra mile to obtain optimal results. From idea inception and market research, to license acquisition, regulatory advice, launch strategies, and more, the consultancy takes it upon itself to understand and adapt to the needs of businesses. In many cases, this sees Oak Hall Consulting tirelessly exploring the nuances of each client’s organisation. By aligning itself with the interests of its customers, the consultancy takes the necessary steps to ensure that their needs are met, while simultaneously delivering advice and services that a collective may have never even considered. Whether these services are intended to be leveraged in the interim, or are expected to play a long-term role in the growth of a business, Oak Hall Consulting is dedicated to delivering a consistent level of quality throughout. Via its experienced consultants, the firm invites businessowners to operate beside professionals who are genuinely invested in the direction of their collective. Of course, market entry is an uneven landscape that’s difficult to approach with certainty. Most businesses are forced to face several roadblocks on their journey toward a better tomorrow, resulting in a myriad of issues that could potentially persist long after said roadblocks have been overcome. Oak Hall Consulting, however, equips its clients with the tools to remain on an upward trajectory, no matter the trials the trade may pose. It achieves such a feat through its assurance services – a framework that was specifically designed to give boards, sponsors, management teams, and stakeholders the confidence to make involved, risk-based decisions. Proudly holding connections with many companies throughout the energy sector, Oak Hall Consulting has spent its years refining its position in order to support businesses experiencing the all-tootumultuous transformation process. In doing so, it has become a paragon of reliable advice and sound solutions within the industry, with many praising it for its ability to reassure and uplift any client looking to branch out into the energy market. Capable, friendly, and masterful in every vein, Oak Hall Consultancy represents everything a transitioning business could ask for, and it is for this very reason that Oak Hall Consultancy been recognised by EU Business News as the Best Gas & Electricity Retail Consultants 2024 – Ireland. Contact: Jessica Gregory Company: Oak Hall Consulting Ltd Web Address: https://www.oakhall.ie/ Best Gas & Electricity Retail Consultants 2024 - Ireland Mar24140
EU Business News- Q3 2024 The UK is fast becoming a global hotspot for online fraud, which is having a devastating impact on both businesses and the economy. New research from fraud prevention platform Ravelin shows online fraud is increasing globally but has grown more in the UK in the last 12 months than any of the ten countries surveyed, including France, Germany, Italy, America, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. One in four of the businesses polled by Ravelin say they lose over $15m (£12m) to fraud every year. The explosion in online fraud threatens to hamper economic growth. Over half of respondents (51.8%) say fraud is stifling the growth of their company, leading to wider knock-on impacts. Ravelin’s Fraud and Payments Survey, now in its fourth year, reveals a highly challenging business landscape in the UK with 84% of merchants confirming fraud has increased, followed by Australia (83.4%) and Spain (81.3%). Globally, fraud has increased for 74.8% of businesses in the past 12 months. Reputations, revenue, and in turn stock value are also taking a hit as amateur and professional fraudsters adopt new tactics, techniques and technologies to steal from brands. The Alarming Global Growth Of Online Fraud Revealed • The UK now one of the worst-affected countries • Business growth, reputation and revenue all suffer • AI-powered fraud already popular and on the rise • More businesses turn to machine learning automation to fight back Jul22546 Companies’ growth is stifled by fraud across the board (51.8%) and 19.9% say stock price is damaged. Well over a third of businesses (40.4%) say their brand image is affected. In the UK, 61.1% of businesses have been mentioned in the press or on social media in relation to fraud. In Australia, 83.3% have suffered this kind of negative publicity. Growth, revenue, and reputation are far from the only things impacted by the rise in fraud. Staff morale can be affected, with nearly a quarter (24.3%) saying this is an issue. Over a third (36.9%) say it hurts customer loyalty while 37.1% of merchants say fraud has driven poor customer satisfaction and churn. Ravelin CEO Martin Sweeney said, “Online fraud shows no signs of slowing down. The speed of adoption of new tactics and technologies such as AI by fraudsters, both amateur and professional, is happening at breakneck speed. The democratization of fraud affects us all. “Many merchants are deeply concerned about the impact on revenue, growth and reputation so it’s crucial to be fully up to speed with the idiosyncrasies and trends of this fast-changing fraud landscape. “Across fraud leaders in our four key sectors of the market, machine learning was once again recognised as integral to fraud fighting efficiency. Machine learning models and features offer flexibility and scalability in the face of transforming threats.” Fraud trends – what’s powering the global growth of fraud? AI-powered fraud Predictions about artificial intelligenceenabled fraud have been everywhere. According to the Ravelin report, it’s well and truly here, with nearly two-thirds of merchants (63.6%) having seen criminals use AI technology against them (inclusive of large language models (LLMs), machine learning, synthetic IDs and other applications). Respondents are concerned that AIpowered fraud will impact growth (50.5%), brand image (39.8%) and customer loyalty (39.2%). Friendly fraud First-party fraud (also called ‘friendly fraud’) is also on the rise in many parts of the world. Topping the list for friendly fraudsters are the UK, Australia, and Spain, up to 54.4% of merchants estimating customers are now more likely to attempt fraud. Unsurprisingly, many merchants (58.6%) agree they must do more to tackle fraud but are often prevented from doing so because of budgetary (39.4%) concerns, or concerns that it could introduce friction that will cause customers to churn (38.2%) – which is not the case with tech-forward solutions. Another key blocker is a lack of awareness of the benefits from other outside teams (35.9%). Solutions – how companies are fighting back Automation in the form of machine learning is widely seen (66.2%) as the most useful implementation of AI for fraud prevention, ahead of LLMs (46%), generative adversarial networks (GANs) (38.7%) and big data analytics (36.8%). Across the board, two-factor authentication (2FA) – which includes technologies such as 3D Secure and biometric verification – is the most popular fraud-thwarting tool (54.1%). Martin Sweeney added: “In our industry, knowledge-sharing is one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal so we hope the insights we’ve gathered in our latest report will help inform new thinking and approaches about tackling online fraud.”
9. The Alarming Global Growth Of Online Fraud Revealed
10. EU Business News- Q3 2024 Jul22575 Italian and Portuguese to also be available on DeepL Write before the end of 2024 DeepL, a leading global Language AI company, has unveiled two new languages in its AI writing assistant, DeepL Write. Initially released with support for English and German, Write now offers Spanish and French—bolstering its service with two more lingua francas critical to global business. The addition of Spanish and French is an exciting opportunity for global businesses to elevate their teams' writing and communication—remaining consistent and on-brand, all while retaining their unique voice in the marketplace. "We hear time and time again that clear and effective written communication can be a problem for our customers in business, even in their native language, which was the impetus for DeepL Write. Businesses globally, including those in French- and Spanish-speaking countries, are realizing the importance of not only translating copy, but also having well-articulated text when communicating with their local customers, which is where Write comes into play. We even heard of users translating copy into a random language and translating it back to get the improved nuance from DeepL Translate, which was our lightbulb moment when developing DeepL Write " says Jarek Kutylowski, DeepL's founder and CEO. According to industry research, bad writing costs businesses billions of dollars annually. A recent Forbes survey of 1,000 US office workers found that poor communication negatively affected productivity of 49% of respondents, along with job satisfaction (50%) and stress level (42%). DeepL Write Pro is purpose-built to solve this challenge for global businesses, leveraging in-house large language models (LLMs) to enable users to communicate more effectively in the written form through edit suggestions that improve text quality. Powered by the same proprietary architecture of the company's flagship product, DeepL Translator, Write can detect linguistic nuance, context, and writing style in real-time, offering suggestions on word choice, phrasing, and grammar as the user writes. This enables users to better articulate in "simple, business, academic or casual" styles. All in all, users are able to more effectively communicate, which will have a positive impact on overall business relationships, both internally with colleagues and externally. DeepL Write Pro's strength lies in its ability to give writers a sophisticated boost in their communication, regardless of language proficiency—empowering them to find the perfect words for any situation or audience. DeepL also offers advanced, enterprise-grade security features, including TLS encryption and text deletion for maximum data security. "Furthermore, we're excited to announce that we'll be adding Portuguese and Italian to DeepL Write Pro before the end of 2024. Making our writing solution available to our customers in Brazil, Portugal and Italy, will enable them to take their written communications to the next level both internally and externally" Kutylowski added. Since its inception in 2017, DeepL has become the Language AI provider of choice for businesses across multiple industries including manufacturing, legal, retail, healthcare, technology, and professional services. The company's specialized Language AI platform has become a critical investment for global businesses today, addressing a variety of communication challenges ranging from internal communications to customer support and international market expansion. Unlike general-purpose AI systems, DeepL's cutting-edge translation and writing solutions rely on specialized AI models specifically tuned for language, resulting in more precise translations for a variety of use cases and a reduced risk of hallucinations and misinformation. To learn more about how DeepL Write Pro empowers businesses to level up their communication in English, German, French, and Spanish—try DeepL Write Pro today. The addition of new languages to DeepL Write comes off the back of the announcement of a new funding round and a valuation at 2 billion USD for DeepL, as well as the integration of in-house LLMs on its translator, and its selection to the Forbes AI 50 list of the world's most innovative tech companies. DeepL launches new French and Spanish AI writing assistant to improve business communications
Aug22136 11. Election Year: How To Use Direct Mail In Political Campaigns According to the latest statistics, over 46 million people registered to vote in the 2024 UK general election. In addition to television / public appearances, door-to-door canvassing and a social media presence, direct mail is an effective means of connecting with voters. It’s estimated that marketing campaigns that integrate direct mail along with digital media can see a whopping 118% spike in response rate. Jon Beasley, Technical Director at Washington Direct Mail, said: “Many may not know every candidate standing in a general election or byelection is entitled to a free service through Royal Mail. This enables you to send one communication via Royal Mail to all eligible constituents on the electoral register. “This provides a unique opportunity to deliver a tangible, tailored message directly into the hands of voters.” Here’s how best to leverage the direct mail service for political success, with some examples of how and how not to do it. A data-driven approach Direct mail houses possess the expertise, knowledge and technology to deliver political results. To begin with, you should consider a data-led approach. 84% of people say they would be more likely to read mail personalised to them, so ensure you zone in on individual constituents rather than a generic ‘The Homeowner’. Direct mail houses can segment your data to ensure you are targeting the correct voters and that the design/copy of your materials meets their needs accordingly. For instance, certain demographics, especially older voters, are accustomed to receiving campaign messages via direct mail. Consider legal compliance Thanks to recent GDPR marketing legislation, control of personal data has now returned to the consumer. This means you need to remove any constituents who opt out of receiving direct mail. Remember, all election campaign materials must also contain an ‘imprint’ indicating which party or individual is promoting the material. The power of personalisation 75% of people can recall a brand immediately after seeing direct mail compared to 44% who viewed a digital ad. This uptake can be increased further by personalising your messaging to your voters. With this in mind, take time to address your mail campaign to prospective voters to build trust and authenticity. If successful, it’s estimated that direct mail stays in the home for 17 days and may even end up affixed to fridges or notice boards. This means there’s ample opportunity for your message to find its mark. Distinguish your message with copy and design Invest in professional design with eyecatching visuals, concise text, and a cohesive layout. The human eye is trained to look at pictures first, so place positive images that attract your prospective voter. Couple this with a clear, concise copy that addresses voters by name and references local issues. Remember to include a relevant call to action, whether it’s compelling voters to vote or attend a rally. Notable successes and failures Best examples will address specific issues pertaining to local neighbourhoods within each constituency. You may employ compelling storytelling supported by stats to map the impact of policy upon ordinary lives. Frame policy proposals within the context of real-life experiences and strategically time your mailings to coincide with key events in the electoral cycle. Bad practices may include generic flyers lacking personalisation or relevance, cluttered pamphlets with an overwhelming amount of text, or negative campaigning that focuses on smearing political opponents instead of emphasising one’s strengths. Aug22136
EU Business News- Q3 2024 New Tech Can Help With Mandatory Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) Compliance In 2012, the EU Commission passed the first version of UN ECE R-141, legislation that makes Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) mandatory for all M1 category vehicles below 3.5 tonnes. In the intervening decade, the legislation has been amended and updated, with the current requirement affecting all new trailers in the EU. From 6 July 2024, all new registrations of vehicles in the M1, M2, M3, N1, N2, N3, O3, O4 categories will be required to operate a TPM system. A tyre pressure monitoring system is a collection of sensors, mounted onto the wheel of a vehicle, that measure the pressure and temperature inside the tyre. Both pressure and temperature are imperative for the safe operation of a vehicle. When these elements are within range, road handling and stopping distance improve and tyre blowouts, which can lead to deadly accidents, are far less likely. “Being lawfully obligated to run a TPMS is definitely a step in the right direction for road safety, which benefits all road users,” says Justin Coetzee, GoMetro CEO, “but there are even more advantages for truck drivers and fleet operators.” For one thing, correct pressure helps to prolong lifespan and allow for more retreads from each tyre. For large trailers with dozens of wheels, this is a great cost saving. Additionally, it improves fuel consumption, which saves money and reduces CO2 emissions, making company balance sheets and the environment smile. Tyre pressure and temperature are considered some of the hardest but most essential factors for drivers and fleet managers to maintain. But a TPMS makes these elements much easier to manage. “With live pressure readings from a TPMS, a driver is alerted immediately to a potential problem,” continues Coetzee. “This allows a minor issue to be rectified quickly and avoids a major issue altogether.” TPM systems take two forms – direct and indirect. The outcome remains the same for both, but the sensors read different data. With a direct TPMS, information gathered from a pressure sensor is transmitted to a modulator via Bluetooth. An indirect TPMS measures ABS wheel speed to detect changes in tyre pressure. If the sensor reading falls outside of preset parameters, the modulator emits a warning to the driver, showing which tyre needs attention. This applies to both direct and indirect systems. And while a TPMS can alert to issues speedily, it does not replace regular tyre maintenance and manual pressure readings. Historically, tyre pressure monitoring systems alerted only drivers to issues. This left fleet managers blind to tyre problems and trends, and the fleet as a whole vulnerable to breakdown and delayed deliveries. But the integration of a web portal, which can be accessed by fleet managers, Mar24282 allows for greater visibility. And real-time, accurate information allows for greater control of valuable assets. “Mounting the sensor takes 15 minutes per wheel, a small investment when delays and damaged cargo as a result of breakdowns can permanently affect customer relations,” Coetzee concludes.
Jul22493 13. Jul22493 According to the latest statistics, between 183,000 and 232,000 18-24-year-olds take gap years every year with many choosing to work abroad to help fund the thrills of international travel. However, in the wake of Brexit, navigating the complexities of working abroad has become a subject of much confusion for aspiring travellers. In the last three months alone, the search term “new blue passport” has seen a +900% change in Google search data as users query the restrictions and flexibility of the British passport. SIA are market leaders in providing gap year ski season experiences and working holidays abroad. Academy Director, Gary Clark, said: “While Brexit has somewhat changed the landscape of international work and travel, the British passport still holds considerable value and flexibility. “Brexit has not closed the door on employment opportunities for British people abroad and often prospective travellers will just need to understand the necessary Visa and work permit requirements.” We explore some of the most common postBrexit passport queries for those looking to spend their gap year abroad. “Brexit has rendered my British Passport useless for working abroad” Search tool, AnswerThePublic, records around 33.1K monthly search volume around Britain’s eligibility for working abroad. Contrary to popular belief, you can still travel to Europe for work, study and leisure. If you’re a UK resident with an EU passport or legally a resident in an EU country before 1st January 2021, then your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. Travel to mainland Europe is visa-free for up to 90 days in every 180. “Will I need a Visa to work abroad?” Most countries will allow you to work there provided you have the right Visa documentation. A visa is a legal document which allows foreign citizens to enter, work stay and travel a country. Each country will likely have their own regulations, so it’s worth checking the GOV. UK website to see what applies to you. To work in most EU countries, GOV.UK stipulates you’ll need a work permit and most likely a job offer from your chosen country. The UK Government advises liaising with the UK-based embassy of the country you wish to work in to discuss what you need to do. “Can I still travel on my red UK passport?” Google search data also reports a lot of search volume around the “British red passport” with a 900% year-on-year change. Fortunately, British citizens can still travel on their old burgundy passports provided it has at least six months’ validity left and is less than 10 years old. The red passport is still recognised worldwide, and you can continue to travel until six months before its expiry date. “Can I still get free healthcare in the EU post-Brexit?” If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it remains valid until its expiry date. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to replace it. New EHIC cards are now issued only to UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. This includes EU nationals living in the UK, UK students studying in the EU, and some British pensioners residing in the EU (who moved before January 2021). Approximately 5.6 million EHIC cards expired in 2022, and many Brits may be unsure about the next steps. Ensure to get travel insurance prior to your departure. The British Passport PostBrexit: A Myth-Busting Guide To Working Holidays and Adventures Abroad Mar24140
Jul22546 EU Business News- Q3 2024 igns bearing the latest Low Emission Zone (LEZ) guidelines have become a familiar sight in European urban areas, with 320 LEZs now in play across the continent and 500 expected by 2025. The system has been praised for improving air quality in cities, while reducing overall road traffic and boosting the local economies in which they operate. According to the latest statistics, Italy is blazing a trail with 172 LEZs across the country, followed by Germany with 78. Most other countries meanwhile remain in their infancy with each boasting fewer than 20. But is this set to change in future? Fueling company, Dover Fueling Solutions® (DFS), explore their impact and explain how Low Emission Zones (LEZ) may change the fueling topography of the continent in years to come. Why are Low Emission Zones important? The Clean Cities Report in 2022 cited the twin challenges of toxic air pollution and climate change as reasons for implementing LEZs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to health, causing 300,000 premature deaths per year in the EU alone. Starkly, EU air quality limits are reportedly being breached in over 100 cities across the continent. This places those living in urban areas at significant risk, meaning it is imperative that anti-pollution measures are taken. Burning fossil fuels is the main cause of air pollution which includes emissions from factories, power plans and vehicles. Agriculture and its accompanying bi-products, methane and ammonia, are another leading cause while volcanoes, dust, pollen and wild fires are more natural contributors. This not only pertains to physical health. The mental health benefits have also been corroborated. Research demonstrates that small increases in air pollution are linked to rises in depression and anxiety amongst the urban populace. Cleaner air also means an improvement in intelligence and a lower risk of dementia too. Looking ahead, expect to see LEZs supplanted by Zero Emission Zones. These have been trialled in European cities including Milan, Paris, Brussels, Madrid and Warsaw, with much success. What are the recorded effects of LEZs across Europe? This is all well and good in principle, but do LEZs bring positive effects in practice? Going Green: The Effects of LEZs Across European Cities Well, the Clean Cities Campaign points to an average reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions of around 20% across all LEZ areas. Further results were as follows: London – 40% Brussels – 33% Paris – 24% Lisbon – 22% London’s (ultra) LEZ makes for an interesting case study. A study from Bath University established that less nitrogen dioxide pollution contributed to a 4.5% reduction in long-term health problems, in addition to an 8% drop in respiratory illness. The healthcare cost savings in dealing with this are estimated at £963 million in the Greater London area alone. Experts also predict that London’s ULEZ has helped reduce anxiety by 6%. This can be explained by the positive neurological impacts of cleaner air added to the enhanced conditions for physical exercise. In the light-duty vehicle arena, Rotterdam’s LEZ has reduced the number of severely polluting cars by half, with an accompanying 20-30% reduction in soot. The benefits of LEZ schemes extend beyond cleaner air too. This includes more stable traffic flows with little recorded negative business impacts. How is LEZ affecting clean fuel adoption? It could also be said that LEZ are changing the face of refueling across the continent. In the European Commission’s 2050 long-term strategy, alternative fuel sources such as electricity, Hydrogen, LNG / CNG and biofuels were outlined as cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels within the transport sector. Because these power sources rely less on the burning of fossil fuels, they can in turn, help to reduce air pollution, particularly in urban areas with a higher volume of traffic. As a result, electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and therefore EV charging infrastructure, has been concentrated around cities – particularly those with an LEZ in place. For example, areas with an LEZ (or a planned LEZ) in operation, reached remarkably higher levels of EV penetration than their national averages. 89% of new vehicle registrations in Oslo, for instance, were Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), followed by Amsterdam (31%), London (22%) and Paris (20%). S Jun22703
15. Across other alternative fuels, there is a correlation too. While liquified natural gas (LNG) refueling stations tend to lie outside the bandwidth of LEZ boundaries, there’s a notably higher concentration of LNG stations within countries that have implemented LEZ and ULEZ. This certainly shows that LEZs are having a positive impact on clean fuel adoption. Whether this means that traditional city centre refueling stations will become a thing of the past remains up for debate, especially with the sale of ICE vehicles still permitted – in some countries – beyond 2030. One possibility, however, is that given the rise of LEZs, petrol and diesel stations may be pushed further and further out of the city and along motorway infrastructure. Conclusion The growth of LEZ and ULEZ across the continent has been a defining feature of recent years and looks set to continue in future. This has brought some impressive benefits from cleaner air to better physical and mental health and reduced congestion. There certainly appears to be a positive correlation between these zones and cleaner transport adoption, with motorists looking to combat daily charges and embrace more sustainable driving practices. This may mean that those in more urban and metropolitan areas transition quicker than those in more rural areas, but the long-term effects remain to be seen.
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