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 […]
Commission evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework highlights progress and emerging public health challenges
The European Commission has published last April 2 its evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It assesses the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive in protecting public health and ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market. The findings show that the EU rules on tobacco control have […]
Commission takes preparatory steps on financial support for Ukraine and boosting drone production
Last April 1st, the European Commission took preparatory steps for the implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, aimed at securing necessary budgetary support and accelerating urgent defence procurement for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. The package adopted today includes a proposal for the Council to approve the overall amount of the EU’s support […]
The EU is strengthening the stability and predictability of its carbon market
The Commission has announced a first concrete step to strengthen the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Last April 1st’s proposal, which follows President von der Leyen’s announcement at the March European Council, adapts the EU ETS’s Market Stability Reserve (MSR) to improve stability and predictability. The Commission has proposed an amendment to the […]
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 welcomes the choice of Lille as the headquarters of the EU Customs Authority
The Commission welcomes the agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council to establish Lille as the seat of the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA). The Commission received nine applications from Member States interested in hosting the EUCA. It subsequently drew up aneutral and objectiveassessmentof these applications and sent it to the co-legislators on […]
The Commission is launching a new strategy to tackle the growing threat of forest fires
As forest fires become larger, more frequent and more destructive, the European Commission is presenting a new integrated approach to forest fire risk management. The strategy covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This holistic approach will improve Europe’s resilience to the growing threat of forest fires and ensure greater protection for Europeans and the environment, […]
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 the AGILE programme, with a budget of €115 million, to support agile and rapid innovation in the defence sector
The European Commission has launchedAGILE, a new €115 million funding instrumentdesigned to bring disruptive defence technologies from the laboratory to the field at record speed. This pilot programme aims to accelerate the development and testing of disruptive defence innovations, as well as their market uptake, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and drones, with a […]