The European Commission has published guidelines to facilitate the uniform application of the new rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation across the EU and to simplify compliance for economic operators and Member States. The full implementation of this Regulation will contribute to a more sustainable and competitive packaging sector across the EU and […]
The Commission welcomes the historic agreement to reform the EU Customs Union
The Commission welcomes the agreement reached last Thursdaybetween the European Parliament and the Council, which marks ahistoricreformofthe EU Customs Union. Thisreform, the most ambitious overhaul of EU customs rules since 1968, introduces new measures for e-commerce and establishes a modern, data-driven customs architecture that simplifies procedures and improves efficiency.Withthese fundamental improvements,Europeancustomswill beready toadapttothechanginglandscapeof international trade. […]
The Commission approves a Spanish state aid scheme to support the decarbonisation of heat used in industrial processes
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with EU state aid rules, a €50 million Spanish scheme to promote the decarbonisation of heat in industrial processes. This will be done through the ‘Auctions as a Service (AAAS)’ tool of the 2025 heat auction under the Innovation Fund. The Spanish scheme will support projects that decarbonise […]
The Commission presents a new AI tool to combat agri-food alerts and food fraud
The European Commission has unveiled TraceMap, a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform tospeed up the detection of food fraud, contaminated food and outbreaks of foodborne illnessesacross the EU. In line with the EU’s high safety standards for food and imported products, this new tool will strengthenconsumer safety and help national authorities work more effectively, innovating […]
The Commission has presented a new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 for a more equal, cohesive and prosperous Europe.
The European Commission presented its new Gender Equality Strategy for the period 2026-2030. The Strategy integrates gender equality into all aspects of life, both online and offline, from education and health to work and public life, and addresses modern threats such as cyber violence and risks related to artificial intelligence, which particularly affect women. Although […]
Commission response to the European citizens’ initiative on reducing unsafe abortion in the EU
The European Commission adopted a Communication in response to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My voice, my choice: for safe and accessible abortion”. This is the twelfth initiative to receive a formal response from the Commission since European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) were launched in 2012. According to the World Health Organisation, around 483,000 unsafe abortions […]
The EU and Nigeria open negotiations on a bilateral agreement on cooperation in science and technology
The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have started negotiations for a bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The aim is to boost cooperation in research and innovation, in line with the conclusions of the 2023 EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue and the 2024 EU-Nigeria Summit. A bilateral agreement on […]
The Commission remains committed to halving road accidents by 2030
The European Commission has published its report tracking progress towards the EU’s goal of halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the roads by 2030. While progress has been made in reducing the number of road traffic fatalities, the report reveals that the current pace is insufficient. In 2024, 19,940 people died on […]
A new layer: the EU Ecolabel moves up a level for paints and varnishes
BRUSSELS – In response to rapid developments in the coatings market, the European Commission has presented an updated set ofEU Ecolabel criteria for paints and varnishes.These criteria bring one of the programme’s key product groups up to date with the latest technological advances and market trends, including revised requirements for the most environmentally friendly paints […]