The Commission adopted on 3 October new measures restricting the use of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in fire fighting foams under the REACH Regulation, the EU’s chemicals legislation. This is an important measure that protects people and the environment from the risks posed by PFASs. The restriction marks an important step towards the Commission’s […]
Commission consults on revised state aid rules to improve access to affordable housing
The European Commission has today opened a public consultation on the review of state aid rules to assist Member States in the field of affordable housing. This review of the rules on services of general economic interest (SGEI) will address challenges related to housing affordability beyond social housing. The aim is to enable EU countries […]
Close to €1.6 billion of EU funds will help Spain recover from Valencia’s devastating floods
The European Commission has proposed to the European Parliament and the Council an aid of €945 million from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to Spain to support the recovery from the destructive ‘DANA floods’ of October 2024 in Valencia. In addition, the Commission has approved the reallocation of €645 million from Spain’s cohesion policy funds via […]
Commission approves new geographical indications for Italy and Spain
The European Commission has approved the inclusion of ‘Olive taggiasche liguri’ and ‘Carne Salada del Trentino’ from Italy in the Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and ‘Tharsys’ from Spain as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The Protected Geographical Indication ‘Olive taggiasche liguri’ refers to table olives and olive paste or pâté made from […]
Israel/Palestine: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on Gaza
The EU welcomes President Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza, which offers a way out of this devastating conflict, ensuring an immediate ceasefire and release of all remaining hostages, and guaranteeing the provision of full humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, with a central role for the UN and its agencies – all […]
EU tourism nights up by 2.3% in first half of 2025
In the first half of 2025, there were 1 279 million overnight stays in tourist accommodations across the EU, a 2.3% increase compared with the first 6 months of 2024 (1 249 million). At country level, Malta (12.7%), Latvia (8.6%) and Poland (8.5%) had the highest increases in the share of overnight stays in tourism accommodation in the […]
Council backs research and innovation for startups and scaleups
The Council approved last September 30th conclusions on the importance of research and innovation for the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. These conclusions provide guidance for the establishment of a strong and dynamic ecosystem where higher education and research institutions can support the creation and growth of new companies, valorise the results of their research, […]
EU to boost financial literacy and investment opportunities for citizens
The European Commission announced last September 30th two major initiatives to advance the Savings and Investments Union and deliver tangible benefits for all EU citizens. The comprehensive package focuses on improving financial literacy for all and at all life stages and introduces a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts (SIAs) – a tool aimed at making […]
Council approves simplification of EU carbon leakage instrument
The Council adopted on 29 September, as part of the so-called “Omnibus I” legislative package, a regulation simplifying and strengthening the EU’s Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BAM). This Regulation aims to simplify the EU’s EU-ETS and introduce improvements to make compliance economically efficient. The main objective is to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden and […]