The European Commission has published its 2025 Work Programme, outlining key strategies and initiatives for the coming year. As part of this programme, the Commission has announced the withdrawal of 37 proposals, including the AI Liability Directive. This move is part of a broader effort to simplify EU legislation and reduce regulatory burdens on businesses.

The European Commission has launched an Action Plan to enhance the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry. The plan focuses on innovation, clean mobility, and supply chain resilience, with €1.8bn allocated for battery raw materials. It also aims to support the transition to AI-powered, connected, and automated vehicles.

The Commission has presented its Vision for Agriculture and Food, outlining a roadmap to enhance the EU's farming and agri-food sector. The Vision focuses on making the sector attractive, competitive, resilient, and future-proof, with initiatives to simplify policies, promote innovation, and ensure fair living conditions in rural areas. A comprehensive simplification package and an EU digital strategy for agriculture will be proposed later in 2025 to support digital-ready farming.

The European Commission has released updated model contractual clauses for artificial intelligence (AI) procurement on 5 March 2025, revising the original September 2023 version to align with the EU AI Act adopted in June 2024. The update includes a comprehensive version for high-risk AI systems, a lighter version for non-high-risk AI, and accompanying practical guidance. The clauses aim to support public buyers in implementing AI procurement practices that comply with the new regulatory framework.

The European Commission has adopted a delegated regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/805 to establish supervisory fees for EU benchmark administrators that endorse third-country benchmarks. The amendment follows the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2025/914, which amended the Benchmarks Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1011) by expanding the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA’s) supervisory mandate to include this new category of administrators. The updated rules align the fee framework for these administrators with that applicable to recognised third-country administrators, ensuring consistency and proportionality. They introduce fixed fees for administrators endorsing non-significant benchmarks, reducing reporting obligations for smaller entities. The regulation should apply urgently to prevent legal uncertainty before the 31 December 2025 transitional deadline and will enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The European Commission has updated its Q&A on Article 10a of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR)) and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (the In Vitro Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR)), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1860 on the gradual rollout of European Database on Medical Devices to include a decision tree. This provides practical guidance for manufacturers on when to notify supply interruptions or discontinuations. The diagram helps assess key factors such as duration, stock levels, availability of alternatives, and risk to patients or public health. It confirms that notification is required where serious harm may arise. It also clarifies that notification must be made at least six months in advance or without undue delay in exceptional cases, without changing the underlying legal requirements.

The European Commission has updated the ecodesign requirements for external power supplies (EPS), adopting a preferred policy option to enhance energy efficiency, promote interoperability, and advance circular economy objectives. Implemented under Directive 2009/125/EC, the revision repeals Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 and responds to technological developments and the environmental impact of more than 400 million EPS units sold annually in the EU. The updated framework broadens the scope to include wireless chargers, USB EPS, and Power-over-Ethernet injectors, while mandating interoperability for devices below 240W. It introduces stricter energy efficiency standards, limits standby power consumption, and establishes durability requirements such as detachable cables. A common charger EU logo will help consumers identify compliant products. Stakeholders largely support the initiative, though some industry concerns remain. By 2035, the measures are expected to cut energy consumption by 3%, reduce emissions by up to 13%, and save consumers approximately €100m annually, with minimal administrative burden. A formal review of the regulation is scheduled five years post-adoption, based on market data and implementation outcomes.

The European Commission and the Member State Coordination Group on Health Technology Assessment (HTA CG) have published new and updated guidance clarifying publication, transparency and evidence requirements under the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation, including stricter expectations for Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) dossiers, subgroup analyses and disclosure of clinical evidence. The package includes a new FAQ on publication of JCA reports, updated methodological Q&A guidance expanding operational rules for dossier preparation and evidence generation, and new guiding principles on handling commercially confidential information in JCA and joint scientific consultation procedures. The updates are intended to support consistent implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 (EU HTA Regulation) and provide further detail on how transparency and methodological standards will apply in practice across Member States.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation published the second version of its guidelines on responsible use of generative AI in research on 10 April 2025. The updated guidelines provide recommendations for researchers, research organisations and funding bodies, complementing the EU AI Act. The document outlines key principles including reliability, honesty, respect and accountability in AI use. It establishes requirements for transparency in AI tool usage, protection of sensitive data and intellectual property rights, while prohibiting substantial AI use in peer review processes.

The European Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/681 on 8 April 2025, amending Decision (EU) 2021/1182 to introduce six new harmonised standards for medical devices. The standards, developed by the European Committee for Standardization and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, cover medical gloves, sterilization processes and ambulance equipment. Compliance with these standards provides presumption of conformity with Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices. The decision enters into force upon publication in the Official Journal.

The European Commission has updated its list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regimes, adding Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela, while removing Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. The update aligns with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring and follows a technical assessment involving FATF data, bilateral dialogues and on-site visits. The revised list will take legal effect after a one-month scrutiny period by the European Parliament and Council, extendable by another month.

The European Commission has updated the manual on borderline and classification Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR) and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR)(Version 5, April 2026) in April 2026 to include additional borderline and classification cases for specific products.