The European Commission has launched a public consultation on preliminary findings issued to Google as part of specification proceedings initiated on 27 January 2026 under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). The findings set out draft measures requiring Google to ensure effective access to and interoperability with key Android functionalities for third parties. In particular, the measures aim to ensure that competing AI services can interact with apps on users' Android devices and perform tasks—capabilities currently reserved for Google's own AI offerings, and to enable competing providers to offer integrated experiences alongside Alphabet's AI services, such as Gemini. The Commission is inviting feedback from interested parties, with comments due by 13 May 2026. A final decision, including binding measures, must be adopted within six months of the initiation of the specification proceedings.

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on a proposal to recast the EU Visa Code governing Schengen short-stay visas. The proposal would strengthen the EU’s ability to apply targeted, proportionate and reversible visa restrictions where third countries do not cooperate on return and readmission, border management, security or countering illegal migration and migrant smuggling, or where serious political or security risks arise. It would also consider safeguards for humanitarian and exceptional cases, align EU-level restrictions with bilateral visa exemptions, facilitate travel for reliable applicants and trusted business travellers, and clarify rules for digital visa procedures and the potential future EU Visa Support Office within Frontex. The Commission will also explore a harmonised additional charge alongside the Schengen visa fee. The call for evidence will run until 6 October 2026.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on draft revisions to Regulation (EU) No 316/2014 (Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation(TTBER)) and its Guidelines. Proposed changes include extending the market share grace period to three years, new guidance on licensing negotiation groups, modified conditions for technology pools, and first-time inclusion of data licensing principles. The revisions aim to reflect market developments and recent Court of Justice case law while providing greater legal certainty for technology transfer agreements. The consultation runs from 11 September to 23 October 2025, with the Commission intending to finalise the rules before the current TTBER expires on 30 April 2026.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation), which sets out restrictions on hazardous chemicals. The amendments would update Entries 28–30 to include additional substances that have recently been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR) Category 1A or 1B under Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation). The consultation closes on 6 February 2026.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on the draft Implementing Regulation that sets out rules for establishing and operating the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM) Registry, an electronic database for submitting and managing EU CBAM declarations. The EU CBAM Registry will contain data on authorised EU CBAM declarants, applicants seeking authorisation, and operators and installations in third countries. The Implementing Regulation will apply from January 2025 for authorising EU CBAM declarants and in January 2026 for EU CBAM reporting obligations. Responses can be submitted until 28 November 2024 (midnight Brussels Time).

The European Commission has opened a four-week consultation on a draft implementing regulation that sets out the rules for disclosing information on unsold consumer products disposed of by businesses. The initiative supplements Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 on ecodesign and excludes micro and small enterprises. It proposes to define the product types concerned, establish a standardised format for disclosure, and outline verification methods. The consultation runs from 12 June to 10 July 2025, with adoption planned for the third quarter of 2025.

The European Commission has published a draft amending Delegated Regulation which is intended to harmonise and simplify the fees that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) charges credit rating agencies (CRAs). Feedback on the draft Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) No 272/2012 (the CRA Regulation) is invited by 31 January 2024.

The European Commission has published further draft amending Delegated Regulations which aim to harmonise and simplify the fees that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) charges trade repositories (TRs) under EMIR and the SFTR, securitisation repositories (SRs), and certain benchmark administrators. Feedback on all four proposals is sought by 31 January 2024.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation to amend the technical specifications for smart tachographs. The proposal would enable vehicle units to record whether drivers are undertaking regular or occasional passenger services, implementing changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1258 while retaining existing tachograph cards, and would update the calculation of driving and break times to account for such operations. It would also introduce requirements on remote early detection, manipulation and misuse indicators, vehicle-unit printouts and additional remote tachograph monitoring data for roadside enforcement; clarify digital-map and periodic-inspection requirements, including software updates; and correct editorial errors. Most new technical specifications would apply nine months after the regulation enters into force, while specified clarifications and software-update requirements would apply immediately. Feedback is open until 2 October 2026.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation setting out the technical and functional framework for HealthData@EU, the cross-border infrastructure for accessing electronic health data for secondary use under Regulation (EU) 2025/327. The draft sets out the infrastructure’s architecture, central platform services, interoperability, security and data protection requirements. It also specifies the responsibilities of the Commission and connected entities, the conditions and compliance checks for joining and remaining connected, and the procedures for temporary disconnection and definitive exclusion. The draft would also establish an Enforcement Information Exchange Tool through which health data access bodies could record and exchange information on enforcement measures, including periodic penalty payments, the revocation of data permits and exclusions. Commission adoption is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026 and the regulation would apply from 26 March 2029. The consultation closes on 29 September 2026.

The European Commission has proposed three new exemptions for the use of lead in electrical and electronic equipment under the Directive 2011/65/EU (the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (RoHS)). The exemptions cover lead as an alloying element in metals, in high melting temperature solders, and in glass or ceramic components. These time-limited exemptions aim to address specific industry needs whilst maintaining environmental protections. The Commission has published draft delegated directives for each exemption, detailing the proposed scope and conditions. It has opened a public consultation period from 13 January to 10 February 2025, seeking feedback on the draft acts.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on the type of documentary evidence importers will be required to provide to comply with the country of ‘melt and pour’ traceability requirements under the proposed EU Steel Regulation. Feedback received will inform the preparation of an Implementing Act, expected to be adopted by 31 August 2026 and to enter into force on 1 October 2026. The Act will specify the evidence importers of steel products into the EU must provide to demonstrate where the steel was originally melted and poured. The consultation closes on 2 July 2026.