The European Commission has introduced a proposal to protect the EU steel sector from the adverse effects of global overcapacity, fulfilling commitments under the EU Steel and Metal Action Plan. The proposal limits tariff-free imports to 18.3 million tonnes annually (a 47% reduction from the 2024 quotas), doubles out-of-quota duties to 50% (up from 25% under the current safeguards) and introduces ‘Melt and Pour’ traceability requirements to prevent circumvention. It is designed to replace steel safeguards that expire in June 2026 and exempts Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein under EEA arrangements. The Commission states the measure is World Trade Organization compliance and the proposal will proceed through ordinary legislative procedure requiring approval from both Parliament and Council, with the Council Decision needing a qualified majority to ensure uninterrupted protection of the EU steel sector.

The European Commission has proposed amendments to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088) to simplify and improve transparency rules for sustainable financial products. The reform aims to make disclosures shorter, clearer and more comparable for investors, reduce compliance costs for financial market participants (FMPs) and enhance the EU’s competitiveness in sustainable finance. These proposals follow a review by the Commission which found the SFDR’s current framework too complex and lengthy, hampering investors’ ability to understand and compare products and contributing to risks of greenwashing and mis-selling.

The European Commission has initiated a technical update to Directive 2014/32 (EU Measuring Instrument). The proposed changes aim to introduce harmonised metrology requirements for electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refilling stations, as well as update requirements for smart utility meters. The Commission has scheduled a public consultation period from 20 September to 18 October 2024, followed by a feedback period on the adopted act from 6 January to 3 March 2025.

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive Communication on E-Commerce, outlining actions in seven key areas to address challenges from the surge in low-value imports.

The Commission has published a proposed amendment to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (the Sustainable Batteries Regulation) to delay the application of the due diligence obligations set out in the Regulation’s Chapter VII by two years.

The European Commission has published its proposal for the 2026 EU budget, setting total appropriations at €193.26bn, supplemented by an estimated €105.32bn in disbursements under NextGenerationEU. The proposal, presented in the context of ongoing geopolitical volatility, aims to support key strategic priorities including continued assistance to Ukraine, security and defence, migration management, competitiveness, and investments aligned with the green and digital transitions.

The European Commission has proposed a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, totalling nearly €2 trillion. Published on 16 July 2025, the MFF is designed to bolster the EU’s resilience and competitiveness in areas such as defence, climate, migration and innovation. The proposed budget introduces new revenue streams and streamlined National and Regional Partnership Plans to deliver stronger, more efficient support across Member States.

The European Commission has presented a roadmap to end EU's dependence on Russian energy. In a coordinated effort with the Member States, the Commission has established a step-wise framework for the gradual removal of Russian natural gas, oil and nuclear supplies. Legislative proposals to effect these measures are to be submitted in the coming month and include a ban on new contracts for Russian gas, the cessation of existing spot contracts by the end of 2025 and a complete phase-out of imports by the end of 2027. The roadmap also outlines actions to counter Russia’s circumvention of sanctions, such as addressing its shadow fleet, and to restrict Russian nuclear fuel imports through measures implemented in liaison with the Euratom Supply Agency.

The European Commission has published the 2024 Climate Action Progress Report. The report shows that net EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell by 8.3% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Net GHG emissions are now 37% below 1990 levels, while gross domestic product has grown by 68% over the same period, indicating the continued decoupling of emissions from economic growth. The EU remains on track to meet its commitment to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030. However, the report also highlights that 2023 saw Europe experience its largest wildfires on record and one of its wettest years.

The European Commission has published the 2024 State of Soils in Europe report, which assesses the state of soil degradation across the EEA. The report found that soil degradation has worsened in recent years and calls for immediate action to reverse this trend. Overall, soil erosion is estimated to amount to 1 billion tonnes per year, with 24% of EU soils affected by water erosion, which is projected to increase by 13-25% by 2050. In addition, the report found that 74% of agricultural land is affected by nutritional imbalances, with an estimated 70 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon lost from the mineral soils of cropland across the EU and UK between 2009 and 2018.

The European Commission has published its third annual report on the implementation of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), outlining progress towards fair and contestable digital markets in the EU. The report details developments in ongoing EU DMA proceedings, including two non-compliance decisions imposing fines relating to anti-steering practices and consumers’ choices over the use of personal data, as well as the conclusion of two specification proceedings establishing interoperability conditions for connected devices such as smartwatches and other wearables. The Commission also opened three market investigations concerning the cloud computing sector, including two assessing whether certain cloud computing services should be designated as gatekeepers and one examining the EU DMA’s effectiveness in promoting fairness and competitiveness in the sector, alongside a non-compliance investigation into the possible demotion of media publishers’ content in search results. In addition, the report provides updated information on gatekeepers’ reporting obligations, including disclosures on mergers and acquisitions and audited descriptions of consumer profiling techniques, and outlines cooperation activities carried out with the DMA High-Level Group and authorities in third countries.

The European Commission published its annual Enlargement Package on 4 November 2025, assessing progress by 10 EU candidate countries including Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Türkiye and Georgia. Montenegro closed four negotiation chapters and targets completing negotiations by end-2026, while Albania opened four clusters aiming for 2027 completion. Ukraine and Moldova both completed screening processes and met conditions to open three clusters each, targeting negotiations closure by 2028. The Commission announced future Accession Treaties will include stronger safeguards against rule of law backsliding.