The European Commission has launched a consultation on the Skills Portability Initiative, which aims to make it easier for skilled workers to move across Europe and have their qualifications recognised. The initiative focuses on digitalising learning credentials, enhancing transparency around skills and qualifications, modernising recognition processes for regulated professions and simplifying procedures for recognising the qualifications and skills of non-EU nationals. First announced in the Union of Skills in March 2025, the initiative will be presented as part of the Fair Mobility Package in 2026. Both a questionnaire and call for evidence are open until 27 February 2026, seeking input from workers, employers and other stakeholders on the challenges associated with cross-border skills recognition.

The European Commission launches a call for evidence as part of its planned revision of the Standardisation Regulation. The initiative seeks to address deficiencies identified during the Regulation’s evaluation and aims to accelerate the development of systemic standards that support the EU’s resilience and its green and digital transitions. This call for evidence invites stakeholders to submit their views, which will help shape the further development of the proposal. The consultation closes on 21 July 2025.

The European Commission has initiated a public consultation on proposed amendments to State aid rules concerning access to justice in environmental matters. The Commission has invited stakeholders to comment on draft changes to the Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 (State aid Implementing Regulation) and Best Practices Code. These amendments introduce a new mechanism allowing public review requests for certain State aid decisions to ensure compliance with EU environmental law. The consultation, open until 21 March 2025, follows the 2021 Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee's findings on EU non-compliance. The Commission plans to adopt the amended regulations in the second quarter of 2025.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on draft rules for calculating, verifying and reporting chemically recycled content in single-use plastic (SUP) beverage bottles. The proposed implementing act supports targets under the Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) and aligns with the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC). It follows Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2683, which addressed mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and expands the methodology to include chemical recycling. The rules form part of the EU Chemicals Industry Action Plan and aim to increase transparency, promote investment and create a level playing field. Feedback is due by 19 August 2025.

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on its proposed action plan against cyberbullying. The plan aims to create a comprehensive European Union (EU) approach to tackling online abuse, building on the Better internet for kids strategy and Digital Services Act. The initiative focuses primarily on protecting minors while extending considerations to vulnerable groups aged up to 29, including people with disabilities, LGBTIQ individuals and migrants. Responses are sought by 29 September 2025 with the final action plan intended to be adopted in Q1 2026.

The European Commission has published a draft delegated regulation revising Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2830 to update the timing, administration and operational rules for auctioning allowances under the new emissions trading system for buildings, road transport and other sectors (ETS2). Acting under Directive 2003/87/EC, the Commission proposes changes to support a stable launch of ETS2 by allowing early auctioning, preventing auction cancellations and avoiding unrepresentative clearing prices. The draft aligns the volume and timing of auctions with each Member State’s transposition of surrender and penalty obligations, ensuring that allowances are only auctioned once national legislation is in force. It also updates rules for distributing annual auction volumes, including those linked to the Social Climate Fund, and sets procedures for later releasing any volumes withheld due to delayed national implementation.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on draft guidelines for the classification of high-risk artificial intelligence (AI) systems under the EU AI Act. The guidelines are intended to assist providers, deployers and other relevant stakeholders in determining whether an AI system falls within the high-risk category, providing clarification on relevant provisions of the EU AI Act and practical examples for assessment across different sectors and use cases. The EU AI Act identifies two types of high-risk AI systems: (1) systems embedded in products regulated under EU harmonised product safety legislation and (2) systems capable of significantly affecting individuals’ health, safety or fundamental rights in specific use cases. The consultation closes on 23 June 2026. The guidelines will be complemented by other Commission guidelines aimed at facilitating compliance with the obligations applicable to high-risk AI systems.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation specifying the details and functionalities of a forced labour module within the Information and Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS). The draft regulation explains how the forced labour module is to be used by the Commission, Member State competent authorities and customs authorities to exchange information necessary for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 (Forced Labour Regulation), which prohibits products made with forced labour from being placed on or made available on the EU market. The consultation closes on 3 March 2026.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/956 establishing the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM). The draft specifies how carbon prices paid in third countries are to be converted into reductions in the number of EU CBAM certificates to be surrendered, the evidence required to demonstrate such payments and the requirements applicable to independent certifiers. The consultation closes on 10 June 2026.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation setting out EU-wide criteria to determine when plastic waste ceases to be waste under Directive 2008/98/EC (the Waste Framework Directive). The proposal is intended to support the creation of a single market for recycled plastics and secondary raw materials, while reducing administrative burdens for recyclers and advancing the EU’s circular economy objectives. It focuses on thermoplastic polymers and blends of thermoplastics and covers mechanical and solvent-based recycling operations. The consultation closes on 26 January 2026.

The European Commission has initiated a 12-week public consultation on the ongoing review of the requirements for ecodesign and energy labelling rules for electronic displays. The review seeks to make displays more energy efficient in line with technological developments which have taken place since the last review in 2018. The consultation also aims to promote circular economy by systematically tackling issues such as durability, reparability and recyclability in the sector. Feedback can be provided until 5 February 2025, and the Commission aims to publish draft regulations in early 2026, to be adopted later that year.

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on draft technical rules under Article 24(2) of the Electricity Market Directive (EU) 2019/944. The proposed implementing regulation introduces an EU-wide reference model for interoperable data exchange, comprising role, information and process models. The rules mandate 24-hour supplier switching completion by end-2026. The European Data Protection Supervisor is being consulted on data protection implications. The public consultation closes on 17 June 2025.