A glimpse of ten actions where the EU has made a real difference in the lives of each and every one of us.

Economy: A new EU rule requires public authorities to pay up within 30 days when they buy goods and services. This makes a real improvement in the cash flow that keeps small businesses alive.

Passengers' rights: The EU strengthened passenger rights during the year, by introducing new rules about travelling on trains and ships — largely modelled on the air passenger rights introduced so successfully a few years ago. Legislation covering bus and coach travel is coming too.

Mobile phones: The European Commission has persuaded mobile phone manufacturers to abandon the inefficient system of different chargers for different phones.13 of the leading phone makers agreed that all these phones can be charged with a simple micro-USB plug. The result for the environment is less electrical waste.

Justice: The new legislation will help people exercise their right to a fair trial anywhere in the EU when they cannot understand the language of the case. Member states are required to provide the service — and to provide it free of charge too.

Environment: Electronic and electrical equipment often contains materials that are harmful for health or the environment. The EU strengthened its legislation to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and to ban outright the use of the most dangerous ones like lead or mercury.

Read more about the protection, solidarity, economy and jobs on the Europe and you portal.