The European Commission has opened a consultation proposing to update the list of chemicals subject to the controls on import and export of certain specified hazardous substances into and from the EU, as set out under Regulation (EU) 649/2012, the EU Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation (EU PIC Regulation). The consultation will close on 16 August 2024.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on proposed updates to EudraLex Volume 4: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. Feedback is invited on the draft revision of Chapter 4 (Documentation), Annex 11 (Computerised Systems), and the draft introduction of a new Annex 22 (Artificial Intelligence). In light of the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the implementation of AI systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the update of the GMP guidelines is considered necessary to ensure they continue to provide clear, practical and relevant guidance for manufacturers and national competent authorities. Annex 22 introduces requirements for the selection, validation, and oversight of AI models used in critical GMP applications, with emphasis on data integrity, explainability, and human-in-the-loop controls. The use of dynamic models and generative AI, including large language models (LLMs), is excluded from critical GMP use. Responses are sought by 7 October 2025.

The European Commission hosted the first meeting of its Special Panel on child safety online. The panel examined evidence regarding the risks and benefits associated with children’s use of social media, gaming, messaging apps and artificial intelligence. Initially announced in the 2025 State of the Union address, the panel will investigate the possibility of implementing harmonised age restrictions for social media access. Its goal is to present a set of recommendations to Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen by summer 2026.

The European Commission has convened the second meeting of its Special Panel advising President Ursula von der Leyen on child online safety. Discussions focused on current EU rules and initiatives for protecting minors online and international approaches, including Australia's social media minimum age. It also considered new and improved EU-level measures, alongside non-legislative initiatives to improve online safety for children. The meeting follows the Commission's presentation of its final EU age verification app, which uses 'zero-knowledge proof' methodology to verify users' ages without sharing personal information. It also built on insights from the first meeting held on 5 March 2026, which explored research on the opportunities and risks associated with children's online activity, such as social media, gaming, AI applications and messaging platforms. The Commission will convene a third panel meeting in the coming months, with co-chairs scheduled to report their findings and recommendations to President von der Leyen by summer 2026.

European Commission has adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/788 of 16 April 2025 which extends the application date of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2197 of 10 July 2023 as regards the assignment of Unique Device Identifiers for contact lenses under Regulation (EU) 2017/745, the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR). Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2197 amends the MDR to introduce the ‘Master UDI-DI’ solution which was to apply from 9 November 2025 but will now be deferred by one year further to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/788 amending the application date to be 9 November 2026. The reason for the extension is that the MDCG MDCG 2024-1 ‘Guidance on the implementation of the Master UDI-DI solution for contact lenses’ was published in November 2024, one year before the original date of application in November 2025 (under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2197). The regulator acknowledges this guidance was necessary and one year may not be sufficient time for operators to plan their implementation efforts and resource allocation on such complex technical matter, in order to allow them to adequately implement the Master UDI-DI solution for contact lenses and adapt their internal systems and technologies for UDI assignment, as well as to ensure the necessary level of legal certainty on the market and a smooth transition to the new rules.

The European Commission has issued a request for information to Shein under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), seeking details on illegal content and goods, recommender system transparency, and researcher data access. Shein must respond by 27 February 2025. This action is part of an ongoing EU DSA investigation, following a previous RFI in June 2024. The Commission has also published a Communication on safe and sustainable e-commerce, focusing on EU DSA enforcement for non-EU imports.

The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) and Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA), following declarations by all three services that they reach at least 45 million average monthly users in the EU. The designated services have four months which is until end of December 2026 to comply with additional EU DSA obligations, including assessing and mitigating systemic risks relating to illegal content dissemination, effects on minors, fundamental rights and electoral processes.

The European Commission has formally designated WhatsApp as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) after its ‘Channels’ feature reached the threshold of at least 45 million users in the EU. The designation applies specifically to WhatsApp Channels, which enables users to broadcast information to large audiences, while WhatsApp’s private messaging service remains explicitly excluded from the scope of the DSA. Meta, WhatsApp’s provider, has four months, until mid-May 2026, to comply with additional VLOP obligations. These include assessing and mitigating systemic risks such as violations of fundamental human rights, electoral manipulation, the dissemination of illegal content and privacy concerns. Following the designation, the Commission will oversee compliance with the DSA in co-operation with Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, Coimisiún na Meán.

The European Commission has published a draft Council Recommendation for the EU Blueprint on cybersecurity crisis management. This non-binding framework aims to guide EU-level entities in managing cyber crises, enhancing co-operation between civilian and military actors, and utilising mechanisms like the Cybersecurity Emergency Mechanism. It also seeks to secure communication and strategic efforts to counter disinformation. The Blueprint updates the 2017 recommendation, incorporating lessons from EU-level exercises to improve crisis response. It also builds upon existing frameworks, such as the Integrated Political Crisis Response and the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox.

The European Commission has implemented Regulation (EU) 2023/1670  (new ecodesign and energy labelling regulations for smartphones, cordless phones and tablets sold in the EU), with effect from 20 June 2025. The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs confirmed the new measures, which aim to improve product durability, energy efficiency and ease of repair, thereby extending product lifespan and supporting the EU’s circular economy and climate goals.

The European Commission has adopted a decision establishing the Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (DC-EDIC), a new legal instrument enabling Member States to jointly develop, deploy and operate cross-border digital infrastructures with dedicated governance and legal personality. DC-EDIC will have its statutory seat in Paris, with France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy as founding members, while other Member States may join under fair and reasonable terms. The consortium's governance structure comprises an Assembly of Members, a Director for day-to-day management, and an Advisory Board for strategic orientations. Legal requirements include GDPR-compliant data practices with arrangements for investigating security breaches, default release of jointly developed software under Free and Open-Source licences, and procurement following non-discrimination principles. The consortium is scheduled for official launch in December 2025, with planned milestones including recruitment of the Director and founding team, launch of a DEP support project, and delivery by 2027 of a One-Stop-Shop and Expertise Hub, Digital Commons Forum and Award, and an annual State of the Digital Commons report.

The European Commission has established the Battery Booster Facility, a new facility under the Innovation Fund to support European battery cell producers during the ramp-up phase of their projects. The Facility will mobilise up to €1.5 billion, financed from EU Emissions Trading System allowance auction revenues and will provide support in the form of interest-free loans. The Commission plans to launch a call for proposals in Q3 2026, with a maximum loan of €500 million available per project.