The European Commission has published a simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (EUDR) and adopted a package of measures to support its effective implementation ahead of its application. The package includes a report to the European Parliament and the Council, updated guidance and frequently asked questions, revisions to the Information System, and a draft delegated regulation amending Annex I of the EUDR, alongside a public consultation. These measures are intended to enhance clarity, ensure legal certainty, and reduce administrative burdens, with estimated compliance cost reductions of approximately 75% compared with the original framework. The report also identifies tools to facilitate due diligence, including repositories of producing-country legislation and certification schemes, and notes early impacts on global supply chains such as improved traceability and more sustainable production practices.

The Commission has published an Electrification Action Plan to accelerate electrification across the EU, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen competitiveness. The Plan aims to increase the use of electricity in industry, transport and buildings by lowering electricity costs, expanding electricity infrastructure and supporting investment in electrification technologies. Alongside the Plan, the Commission has also published a proposal for a Regulation to future-proof electricity bills by reforming electricity network charges, promoting digitalisation and making electricity more affordable.

The European Commission has published the Energy Product Omnibus, proposing simplified EU energy and tyre labelling rules to reduce administrative burdens for suppliers, retailers and enforcement authorities. The proposal would retain the existing purpose of the labelling framework while introducing greater flexibility in how labels are displayed, including wider use of electronic displays, QR codes and digital information where appropriate. It would also simplify the updating of energy labels following rating rescaling, clarify the responsibilities of representatives of non-EU manufacturers, remove the requirement for vehicle dealers to display tyre labels when selling new cars, and expand the use of the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). The Commission said that the measures are expected to reduce administrative costs by up to €125 million annually over the next ten years while supporting energy efficiency, consumer choice, compliance and enforcement.

The European Commission has published its fourth Environmental Implementation Review, estimating that failure to comply with EU environmental law costs the bloc around €180bn annually—approximately 1% of its GDP. The review highlights gaps in enforcement across areas such as air pollution, biodiversity and water quality, and sets priority actions for all 27 Member States. ClientEarth has called for full transparency of infringement procedures to improve accountability and strengthen the EU’s environmental rule of law.

The European Commission has published a proposal to establish European Business Wallets as part of its Digital Package, aimed at simplifying EU digital rules and reducing the administrative burden on companies across the Single Market. The initiative will enable businesses to securely identify themselves, authenticate transactions, and exchange verified data and documents with full legal effect throughout the EU. By providing a single, interoperable digital tool, companies will be able to digitally sign, timestamp, and seal documents, share licences and certificates, and communicate securely with other businesses and public administrations. The Wallets will build on the existing EU Digital Identity framework, offering a trusted, cloud-based system designed to streamline compliance, improve efficiency, and support cross-border business activity.

The European Commission has published guidance clarifying the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 on health technology assessment (HTA). The FAQ document outlines the conditions under which products are subject to JCA, including those with new active substances for cancer treatment and advanced therapy medicinal products, starting from 13 January 2025. The regulation follows a stepwise approach, expanding to orphan medicinal products in 2028 and all relevant products by 2030. Applications must comply with Article 8(3) of Directive 2001/83/EC, excluding generics, biosimilars and other simplified procedures.

The European Commission has published the findings of Flash Eurobarometer 584 on EU challenges and priorities, showing that respondents support stronger EU action to protect children online, tackle disinformation, strengthen democracy, enhance defence capabilities and accelerate the clean energy transition. The survey found that cyberbullying, online grooming, exposure to harmful content and misuse of children's personal data were identified as the main risks facing children online. It also found that nearly two-thirds of respondents supported introducing age-based restrictions on children's access to social media, while tougher rules for online platforms, stronger sanctions for illegal online content and clearer labelling of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content were also identified as key priorities for addressing disinformation.

The European Commission has published two new Implementing Decisions updating the references of harmonised standards under the EU medical devices framework. On 28 January 2026, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/193 under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices and Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/197 under Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. The Decisions amend earlier Implementing Decisions to reflect newly developed and revised harmonised standards, the voluntary application of which confers a presumption of conformity with the relevant regulatory requirements.

The European Commission has issued guidance on importer requirements under Regulation 2024/1787/EU (the EU Methane Regulation). The Commission has clarified that there are no derogations for reporting goods from unspecified origins, and importers must provide all information set out in Annex IX. Failure to do so requires sound justification and an action plan. The guidance emphasises that importers are responsible for ensuring required information is passed down through the supply chain. Compliance can be demonstrated through OGMP 2.0 level 5 or third-party verification, with financial penalties applicable for breaches.

The European Commission has published Q&As to facilitate the timely and consistent implementation of the Instant Payments Regulation (EU) 2024/886 by industry and Member State authorities. The Regulation entered into force on 8 April 2024 and a first set of obligations for payment service providers (PSPs) will have to be complied with as of 9 January 2025.

The European Commission has adopted Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/537 to guide Member States and market actors in unlocking private investment in energy efficiency, pursuant to Article 292 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 30(10) of Directive (EU) 2023/1791. The Recommendation addresses the significant investment gap facing the Union in achieving its binding 2030 energy efficiency target and climate neutrality by 2050, noting that annual investment needs of around €370bn exceed current levels by approximately €170bn per year. Although EU and national public funding has increased substantially, it covers only a limited proportion of total needs, and should therefore be used more effectively to catalyse private capital, particularly in the buildings sector.

The European Commission has published its annual report on the Safety Gate Rapid Alert System, recording 4,671 alerts for dangerous non-food products in 2025, a 13% increase on 2024 and the highest annual figure since the system’s launch in 2003. National authorities also notified 5,794 follow-up actions, up 35% year on year, reflecting strengthened cooperation under Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation). Cosmetics (36%), toys (16%) and electrical appliances (11%) were the most frequently flagged product categories, while dangerous chemicals remained the leading risk, accounting for 53% of alerts, followed by injuries (14%) and choking (9%). Most cosmetics notifications concerned Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMCHA), a banned synthetic fragrance linked to reproductive harm and skin irritation, and authorities also reported nail polish containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO), banned in 2025 due to risks to prenatal health. Enforcement measures included market withdrawals, border suspensions, removal of online listings and product recalls and in 2025 the Commission’s eSurveillance Webcrawler scanned more than 1.6 million websites, identifying over 20,800 non-compliant products. The Commission states that it will conduct a coordinated product safety ‘sweep’ in 2026 and bring forward further reforms to EU market surveillance rules through a forthcoming European Product Act.