The whole week in EU legislation.
Nothing missed. Nothing skipped.

Good morning,

This week, European regulators are pushing forward with strict new rules to protect workers and clean up industrial supply chains. From toxic chemical limits to workplace mental health, businesses need to prepare for higher standards across the board. Here is what you need to know about the latest changes.

Protecting workers

The European Parliament wants to make workplaces safer and less stressful. Lawmakers are calling for new rules on workplace mental health to help prevent burnout and stress. At the same time, they approved stricter chemical exposure limits to shield workers from dangerous substances in industrial sectors like battery and metal production. Environmental safety is also in the spotlight, as the European Chemicals Agency recommended a highly hazardous classification for TFA chemicals, which are often used in manufacturing.

Looking ahead

On the financial side, changes are coming to how companies operate and pay taxes. Parliament is currently debating the next EU long-term budget and polluter taxes, which could mean higher costs for high-emission industries. Meanwhile, official talks have started to launch digital EU business wallets and update the SFDR, aiming to simplify identity checks and green finance reporting.

Also this week

• EU Adopts Simplified Emissions Framework for Poultry and Pig Farms — Commission adopts a simplified emissions framework for poultry and pig farms
• EU Advances Proxy Voting Rules for MEPs to Support Maternity and Gender Equality — Parliament committee votes to allow proxy voting for members on maternity leave
• European Parliament Plenary: Upcoming Votes on EU Anti-Corruption Strategy and EU-Africa Trade — Parliament schedules key debates on trade and the EU anti-corruption strategy
• Parliament unlocks €6.9m EGF aid for displaced workers in Belgium, Spain, and Finland — Parliament approves millions in aid for displaced workers in three member states
• MEPs Push for Expanded 2028-2034 EU Budget and New Corporate Revenue Streams — Lawmakers push for an expanded long-term budget and new corporate revenues
• EP Plenary Updates: Methane Rules, Defence Innovation Funding, and Economic Governance — Plenary sessions cover new methane rules, defense funding, and economic governance
• Upcoming EU Legislation on Worker Mental Health and Falsified Medicines — Parliament plans upcoming debates on worker mental health and falsified medicines
• EU Shortlists Ten Finalists for 2026 Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize — Ten finalists are shortlisted for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize
• Parliament to Debate Ambitious and Sustainable EU Long-Term Budget for 2028-2034 — Parliament prepares for key debates on the sustainable long-term EU budget
• Upcoming AGRI Committee Vote on EU Agri-Food Promotion Policy — Agriculture committee sets vote on promoting European agricultural and food products

Good morning,

This week, European policymakers are busy shaping the future of trade, environment, and public health rules. We are seeing a strong focus on setting long-term goals while keeping everyday business operations steady. Let us look at the main changes coming your way.

Green trade and climate goals

Let's start with carbon and trade. The EU decided to keep the 50-tonne carbon tax exemption, giving smaller importers some breathing room. You can read the details in the CBAM threshold update. Meanwhile, the global push to move away from fossil fuels is picking up speed. Looking ahead to the next UN climate summit, EU politicians are demanding quicker action, as outlined in the COP31 priorities draft.

Tighter rules and future plans

Security and public health are also seeing tighter controls. The EU has shared new guidance on dual-use export rules to make sure companies do not send sensitive technology to Russia. At the same time, we see a push for healthier lifestyles, with a new proposal for stricter tobacco and alcohol regulations to help fight cancer. Finally, the EU is planning its next steps on finance and agriculture, which you can track in the upcoming EU Council agenda.

Also this week

• Upcoming Parliament Plenary: EU Budget, Defence Innovation, and Digital Safety — European Parliament prepares to debate the EU budget and digital safety rules
• EU Refers Bulgaria to Court over Hired Vehicles Directive Non-Compliance — Commission refers Bulgaria to court over hired vehicle rules
• EU Refers Finland to Court Over Seveso III Industrial Safety Compliance — Commission refers Finland to court over industrial safety rule gaps
• Commission refers Greece and Cyprus to CJEU over waste treatment failures — Commission refers Greece and Cyprus to court over waste treatment failures
• Commission refers Hungary to Court of Justice over intra-EU arbitration breach — Commission refers Hungary to court over intra-EU arbitration rules
• EU Takes Bulgaria to Court Over Incomplete Electricity Market and Network Rules — Commission refers Bulgaria to court for missing electricity market deadlines
• EU Civil Protection Mechanism: €12.4B for Crisis Preparedness and Health Emergencies — Committees back twelve billion euros for disaster response and health crises
• EU Authorities Target Video Game Companies to Enforce Virtual Currency Protections — EU consumer protection groups target game companies over virtual currencies
• EU Consults on Right to be Forgotten for Cancer Survivors in Financial Services — Commission starts consultation on fair financial access for cancer survivors
• MEPs Push for €47.4 Billion Erasmus+ Budget to Boost Accessibility and Training — MEPs push to increase the Erasmus budget to forty-seven billion euros
• EU Reviews ESF+ Funding, Skills Development, and Employment Policy Guidelines — Parliament committee reviews social funding and workforce skills guidelines
• European Parliament Inaugurates Sassoli Building in Brussels — European Parliament names a building in Brussels after David Sassoli
• Second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum Focuses on Geopolitical Disruption — EU forum gathers leaders to discuss geopolitical challenges to democracy

Good morning,

This week, European regulators are focusing heavily on stability and simplified rules for businesses. We are seeing major steps to make green markets more predictable and reporting more practical. Here is what you need to know about the latest shifts in EU policy.

More predictability

First, the EU is making changes to keep the carbon market steady. The Council agreed on new rules to amend the Carbon Market Stability Reserve. By pausing the cancellation of certain carbon allowances, they want to prevent sudden price jumps and help companies plan their green investments with more confidence.

Simpler rules ahead?

At the same time, ministers met to discuss how to make the European market more competitive. The latest EU Competitiveness Council meeting focused on cutting red tape, boosting key industries like microchips, and balancing green goals with economic safety.

To make sustainability reporting easier, advisors also shared new ideas this week. They proposed key KPI changes for taxonomy disclosures to simplify how companies show their green progress to investors.

Also this week

• EU Commission Proposes Sustainability Rating Scheme for Data Centres — The EU Commission proposed a new rating scheme for data centre energy efficiency