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ISOTEC gewinnt Franchise Award 2025

Source: Deutsche Nachrichten
Die ISOTEC GmbH wurde beim diesjährigen Franchise Forum in Berlin mit dem renommierten Franchise Award 2025 in der Kategorie “Franchisegeber des Jahres” ausgezeichnet. Verliehen vom Deutschen Franchiseverband e.V., dem über 400 Franchisesysteme angehören, ehrt der Preis herausragende unternehmerische Entwicklung, partnerschaftliche Unternehmenskultur und nachhaltiges Wachstum innerhalb des Franchisesystems.

Mit über 85 Fachbetrieben in Deutschland, Österreich, der Schweiz und Spanien sowie über 120.000 erfolgreich sanierten Objekten ist ISOTEC einer der führenden Spezialisten für Bauwerksabdichtung. Seit der Gründung 1990 steht das Unternehmen für Qualität, Innovationskraft und ein partnerschaftliches Miteinander – mit individueller Förderung, gezielter Standortentwicklung und kontinuierlichem Austausch im Fokus.

“Diese Auszeichnung ist eine Bestätigung unseres gelebten Prinzips der Partnerschaft auf Augenhöhe und unseres Anspruchs, Menschen groß zu machen”, sagt Horst Becker, Geschäftsführer der ISOTEC GmbH. “Bei ISOTEC gehen Erfolg und Menschlichkeit Hand in Hand – unser Wachstum basiert auf Vertrauen, Zusammenarbeit und dem täglichen Engagement unserer Partner, die mit ihrem Team – unserer ISOTEC-Familie – vor Ort Spitzenleistungen für unsere Kunden erbringen.”

In den vergangenen Jahren investierte ISOTEC gezielt in die Weiterentwicklung und Zukunftsfähigkeit des Systems: Eine Bildungsoffensive, neue Schulungskonzepte mit Fokus auf Führung, digitale Prozesse und Ausbau der Kundennähe stärken das System nachhaltig. Mit dem ISOTEC-Handwerkskompass, einer Studie in Kooperation mit dem Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW Consult), initiierte das Unternehmen eine breit angelegte Stärkung der Attraktivität des Handwerks.

Ein sichtbares Symbol für diesen Fortschritt ist der 2024 eröffnete ISOTEC-Campus nahe Köln – als modernes Markenzentrum und Entwicklungsort für Mitarbeiter und Partner. Er steht für die wertebasierte und zukunftsorientierte Ausrichtung des Systems. In diesem Zusammenhang würdigt auch die Jury ausdrücklich den gelungenen Generationenübergang des Familienunternehmens: Seit 2024 ist Tino Becker, Sohn von Horst Becker, Teil der Geschäftsführung.

Als weitere zentrale Faktoren für ihre Entscheidung nannte die Jury die außergewöhnlich hohe Partnerzufriedenheit, die dynamische Partnerentwicklung und das nachhaltige Wachstum. ISOTEC überzeugte alles in allem durch strategische Ausrichtung, stetige Innovationskraft und einem gelebten Wertesystem.

“Wir freuen uns sehr über diese Anerkennung und Ehre. Wir sehen sie als Ansporn, unseren Weg von Erfolg und Menschlichkeit gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern weiterzugehen und die ISOTEC-Gruppe kontinuierlich zu stärken”, so Becker abschließend.

Weitere Informationen unter www.isotec.de

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Celebrating 75th anniversary of Schuman Declaration

Source: European Union 2

This Europe Day marks 75 years since the signing of the Schuman Declaration that laid the foundation of the European Union as we know it today. On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman announced the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. Discover more.

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Answer to a written question – Securing Europe’s gas supply – E-000863/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

EU storage levels are indeed lower than last year, but conform with the average of the 5-year reference period between 2016 and 2021. On 17 March 2025, EU storages are reported at 35%.

The Commission Implementing Regulation 2024/2995[1] based on the Gas Storage Regulation (EU) 2022/1032 sets the gas storage filling trajectory for 2025 for each Member State.

This regulation helps ensuring that the EU enters the winter with a high level of gas storage, thereby supporting its security of supply. The Commission proposed on 5 March 2025 to prolong the current Gas Storage Regulation COM/2025/99 until the end of 2027[2].

This 2-year extension will contribute to ensuring continued security of energy supply across the EU, sufficient flexibility in filling trajectories, and stability of the European gas market.

The Commission Recommendation C/2025/1481[3] invites EU countries to consider current market conditions and fully use existing flexibilities when deciding on measures to refill storage facilities this summer, allowing them to fill their storage facilities throughout the season at the best purchase conditions.

The Commission will also continue monitoring the security of gas supply of the EU and coordinate any potential storage filling measures together with the Member States in the Gas Coordination Group.

  • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2995
  • [2] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/amending-regulation-eu-20171938-regards-role-gas-storage-securing-gas-supplies-ahead-winter-season_en
  • [3] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/recommendation-implementation-gas-storage-filling-targets-2025_en
Last updated: 8 May 2025

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Press release – European Parliament endorses new screening rules for foreign investment in EU

Source: European Parliament

On Thursday, MEPs adopted revised rules to prevent security risks from foreign investments.

Under the new rules, sectors such as media services, critical raw materials and transport infrastructure will be subject to mandatory screening by member states, in order to identify and address foreign investment-related security or public order risks. The procedures applicable to national screening mechanisms will be harmonised and the Commission will have the power to intervene on its own initiative or where there are disagreements between member states about potential security or public order risks emanating from a specific foreign investment. The new law will also cover transactions within the EU where the direct investor is ultimately owned by individuals or entities from a non-EU country.

If the screening authority finds that the planned foreign investment project is likely to have a negative effect on security or public order, it will either have to authorise the project subject to mitigating measures, or prohibit it.

The proposal was adopted by 378 votes in favour, 173 against and with 24 abstentions.

Quote

Parliament’s rapporteur Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, FR) said: “Right now, the EU’s foreign investment screening system is fragmented, costly for investors, and insufficiently effective at mitigating risks. Leaving large industrial plants, energy grids, and media giants open to foreign takeovers — whether from China, the US, or elsewhere — ultimately puts our security and economic sovereignty on shaky ground.

Screening procedures will now be streamlined across member states, keeping the single market open and attractive, while also protecting our industries, safeguarding key sectors, and allowing our strategic industries to become more competitive. The Commission will have the authority to take final decisions in instances of disagreement, ensuring a more unified approach across the EU.”

Background

The current foreign direct investment screening framework entered into force on 11 October 2020. It addressed growing concerns about certain foreign investors seeking to acquire control of EU firms that supply critical technologies, infrastructure or inputs, or hold sensitive information, and whose activities are critical for security or public order at EU level. The rules are designed to help identify and address security or public order risks relating to foreign direct investment involving at least two member states or the EU as a whole. The Commission submitted its new proposal on the screening of foreign investment projects in the EU in January 2024.

Next steps

Now that the report has been adopted in plenary, negotiations with member states on the final shape of the law can begin. Parliament and Council must adopt the final legislative act before it can enter into force.

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Answer to a written question – Making use of the infrastructure that has been implemented in Greece and that can ensure the energy security of the EU – E-000579/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

Between August 2022 to December 2024, the EU has reduced its natural gas demand by 18% compared to the average of the years 2017-2021, resulting in 175 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas saved.

As substantiated in the impact assessment of the Climate Target Plan 2040[1], the projections show 90 bcm of gaseous fuels (including biogas and biomethane) will still be used by 2050. Gaseous fuels will be part of our energy mix in the future but at a reduced level and in cleaner form, including biogas and biomethane.

The Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group is working on maximising the use of the Trans-Balkan Pipeline, which can significantly contribute to the regional diversification of supply.

CESEC has been addressing barriers to its full use, notably gas quality, regulatory barriers (including tariffs) and market barriers. Through CESEC, the Commission follows the evolution of the Vertical Corridor while maintaining that maximised use of existing natural gas infrastructure should be a pre-condition to capacity developments.

The EU-Türkiye High-Level Energy Dialogue was suspended in 2019 following Turkish unauthorised drilling activities in the East-Med region.

The Commission and the High Representative presented a Joint Communication on EU-Türkiye relations[2] in November 2023 recommending that the High-Level Energy Dialogue be reopened, under strict conditions.

In April 2024, EU Leaders underlined that the EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye and tasked the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner.

  • [1] SWD/2024/63 final (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024SC0063).
  • [2] JOIN(2023) 50 final (https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/joint-communication-european-council-state-play-eu-turkiye-political-economic-and-trade-relations-0_en).
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Answer to a written question – The human rights factor in the country benchmarking methodology annex of the EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation – E-000753/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

1. The annex to the Strategic Framework for International Cooperation Engagement[1] presents the general principles of the benchmarking methodology. It relies on quantitative criteria based on scientific evidence and internationally recognised latest available data, primarily from the Global Forest Resources Assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

The benchmarking methodology allows to have a specific approach to the countries which are at the lower or higher end of the standard risk category, and that these countries will be a priority for the Commission to engage with. A qualitative methodology will support the dialogues that will be conducted with these countries, based on EU Deforestation Regulation ( EUDR)[2] Article 29 (4) criteria such as existence and implementation of laws protecting human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and other customary tenure rights holders.

2. In the framework of this exercise, the EUDR Article 29 (4) also states that information submitted by non-governmental organisations and third parties, including indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society organisations may be take into account and therefore be part of such assessment.

  • [1] https://green-business.ec.europa.eu/document/download/98053bb7-bb73-4157-bf35-a9ffa35e2ee2_en?filename=Annex%20to%20Communication%20Strategic%20Framework%20for%20International%20Cooperation%20EUDR.pdf
  • [2] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206-247.
Last updated: 8 May 2025

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Answer to a written question – Implementation of safe and secure parking areas – E-001308/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

Regulation (EU) 2024/1679[1] introduced the obligation for the Member States to ensure, by 31 December 2040, the development of safe and secure parking areas (SSPAs) certified in accordance with EU standards along the roads of the core and extended core trans-European transport network (TEN-T), with an average maximum distance of 150 kilometres between two SSPAs.

The Commission supports the Member States in their efforts to build more SSPAs, notably by providing funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) .

For the realisation of projects across the EU, CEF Transport made available EUR 250 million each in 2022 and 2023, and EUR 320 million for the call for proposals of 2024, supporting both the creation of new SSPAs and the upgrade of existing parking areas in line with EU safety and security standards .

Since 2022, when the Commission adopted the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012[2], 35 SSPAs have been built and certified in the EU, providing 4 943 parking spots. Furthermore, the realisation of 49 CEF projects is currently ongoing, with 4 614 parking places in SSPAs expected to be added.

The Commission recognises numerous advantages in public-private partnerships (PPPs) for accelerating the implementation of SSPAs.

Firstly, PPPs can alleviate the financial burden on governments while introducing expertise and innovative technologies, thereby enhancing project efficiency and quality.

Secondly, by transferring certain risks to private partners, PPPs ensure more reliable and timely project delivery. Lastly, leveraging private financing reduces the reliance on public funds, thus expediting the development process and fostering economic growth.

  • [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 (OJ L 2024/1679, 28.6.2024).
  • [2] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1012 of 7 April 2022 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the establishment of standards detailing the level of service and security of safe and secure parking areas and to the procedures for their certification (OJ L 170, 28.6.2022, p. 27).
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Answer to a written question – Struggling farmers and livestock breeders – E-001030/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

1. The Commission is fully aware of the challenges faced by many farmers, including in Greece. To address these challenges, the Vision for Agriculture and Food presented on 19 February 2025[1] contains an ambitious roadmap towards an agri-food system that is attractive, competitive, future-oriented, sustainable and fair for current and future generations, including trade and simplification. In particular, the work on the livestock and the simplification package, will look at improving the competitiveness and resilience of the livestock sector.

2. The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports interventions that help farmers implement actions to prevent crisis situations and build on medium and long-term resilience. The CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP)[2] for Greece includes tools to support farmers to mitigate short-term impacts, such as direct payments, sectoral and rural development interventions aiming to stabilise farmers’ incomes. In addition, the CSP envisages also support for investments to restore agricultural potential following natural disasters, adverse climatic or catastrophic events.

Regarding the requests for input subsidies and State guaranteed prices, the Commission is and remains in favour of market orientation. In this context, the Vision states that farmers must get a better revenue from the market and that for this they need to benefit from a fair and equitable food chain. To this end, the Commission already on 10 December 2024[3] adopted a proposal to rebalance the positions in the chain and it will consider further initiatives.

Other suggestions in relation to taxes, or pensions are largely in the remit of the national authorities or control bodies.

  • [1]  https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/vision-agriculture-food_en#:~:text=Shaping%20the%20future%20of%20farming%20and%20the%20agri-food,entire%20value%20chain%20within%20the%20EU%20and%20globally
  • [2]  https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/category/sskap-2023-2027/sskap-egkrisi-tropopoiiseis/
  • [3]  COM(2024) 576 and 577 final.
Last updated: 8 May 2025

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Answer to a written question – Green harvesting – E-001016/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

Since January 2023, green harvesting in the wine sector is regulated by Articles 58(1)(c) and 59(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115[1] and Article 17 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/126[2].

During the previous programming period (2014-2022), the Commission provided examples of eligible costs for green harvesting. As the intervention has not changed, Member States can rely on these examples when calculating the Union financial support for green harvesting under Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.

The approach described by the Honourable Member could be adopted by a Member State, provided the aforementioned legal provisions are respected. Beneficiaries are invited to directly contact their competent authorities with a view to receiving examples of calculation methods.

  • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj/eng
  • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=Regulation+%28EU%29+2022%2F126+.&lang=en&type=quick&qid=1745908469522
Last updated: 8 May 2025