The Council of the EU has adopted its position on a regulation aimed at preventing plastic pellet losses to the environment. The new rules will apply to economic operators, carriers, cleaning companies, and sea-going vessels involved in handling plastic pellets. The regulation introduces best handling practices, specific obligations for maritime transport, and a certification system for operators. Member states will have the option to use national permit systems for compliance, and authorities must provide free public access to information on plastic pellet handling. The Council's position will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the regulation.

The Council of the European Union has adopted its position on a regulation to reinstate temporary rules permitting online service providers to voluntarily detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from their platforms. The proposed regulation would reinstate a temporary derogation from EU data protection rules in the electronic communications sector, specifically Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive), enabling providers to resume voluntary measures to combat online child sexual abuse. The previous interim measure expired on 3 April 2026. The Council’s position will now be examined by the European Parliament at second reading. Parliament may approve, amend or reject it. The Council wants the interim measure to be reinstated as soon as possible and to apply until 3 April 2028, while EU institutions continue negotiations on a longer-term legislative framework to combat online child sexual abuse.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a general approach on the regulation governing end-of-life vehicles, expanding the scope to include trucks, motorbikes, quadricycles and special purpose vehicles. The proposal requires manufacturers to design vehicles that facilitate the removal and recycling of parts and to establish a circularity strategy, now required by vehicle category. A minimum recycled plastic content target of 15% will apply six years after the regulation enters into force, rising to 25% by year ten, with potential derogations and future targets for other materials including steel and aluminium.

The Council of the EU has adopted its position on amendments updating the 20-year-old Directive 2014/32/EU (Measuring Instruments Directive (MID)) to address green and digital transition requirements. The updated directive covers electric vehicle charging equipment, compressed gas dispensers and meters for electricity, gas and thermal energy, with technology-neutral requirements intended to support smart metering digitalisation and emerging gases such as hydrogen. Key provisions include clarified display requirements for measurement results, with gas and electricity meters required to display results on the meter itself, in printed format or via remote display, while electric vehicle supply equipment and compressed gas dispensers may use vehicle screens or end-user displays. The position harmonises conformity assessment criteria for energy conversion devices with a maximum permissible error of 0.05% and expands the scope of electric vehicle supply equipment to remove residential and commercial restrictions whilst clarifying coverage includes rail, boats, vessels and aircraft. National certificates will remain valid for 12 years after entry into force, with the application period extended from 24 to 30 months for transposition. The Council presidency will use this mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament once it adopts its position.

The Council of the EU has adopted a regulation modifying the Entry/Exit System (EES) implementation framework. The new law enables member states to implement the digital border management system progressively over 180 days, rather than simultaneously as required by the 2017 EES Regulation. Member states must achieve full registration, including biometric data collection, by the end of the six-month period while continuing manual passport stamping. The regulation enters into force three days after Official Journal publication, with the European Commission to determine the EES operational start date. The system will digitally record entry/exit data, passport information, fingerprints and facial images of non-EU nationals travelling for short stays.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation establishing a modernised policy framework to support the EU wine sector. The regulation introduces measures intended to balance supply and demand, including permitting member states to support the grubbing-up of excess vines and removing the end date for the planting rights scheme, replacing it with a ten-year revision period. It enables member states to provide up to 80% EU support for climate-related investments and introduces targeted support for wine tourism initiatives. The regulation also sets standardised labelling definitions, with 'alcohol-free' applying to products below 0.5% alcohol content and '0.0%' for products below 0.05%. Wines intended for export will be exempt from EU internal market requirements for ingredient listing and nutrition declarations. In addition, the regulation clarifies that rosé wine may be used as a base for regional aromatised wine products and provides enhanced support for plant disease monitoring, diagnostics and research. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation on new genomic techniques (NGTs), establishing a framework aimed at supporting a more competitive and sustainable EU agricultural food sector. The regulation seeks to enhance food security, reduce external dependencies and ensure a level playing field for EU operators, while maintaining high standards of human and animal health and environmental protection. It also aligns with EU sustainability objectives by facilitating the development of more resilient and resource-efficient crops. In response to intellectual property concerns, an expert group will be established to assess the impact of patents on NGT plants. Within one year of the regulation entering into force, the European Commission will publish a study examining the effects of patenting on innovation, seed availability and sector competitiveness and may propose follow-up measures. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation aimed at improving the quality, availability and traceability of forest reproductive material (FRM), including seeds and plants used for reforestation and afforestation. The new rules provide that only approved and certified FRM may be placed on the market, ensuring higher quality and sustainability standards, and introduce enhanced traceability mechanisms to track seeds and seedlings across the EU. The regulation also promotes the use of climate-resilient and pest-resistant planting material, while establishing a more harmonised and simplified system of controls across Member States. The measure is intended to strengthen the resilience of EU forests to climate change, pests and diseases, and to support biodiversity, sustainable forest management and the conservation of genetic resources. The regulation remains subject to formal approval by the European Parliament, with its application expected to begin five years after adoption to allow Member States time to adapt existing national systems and implement the new framework.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 261/2004 and (EC) No 2027/97 on air passenger rights. The regulation strengthens passengers’ rights by improving requirements relating to compensation, assistance, information, communication with airlines and rerouting in cases of cancellation and delay. It also clarifies the definition of extraordinary circumstances. Key measures include: (1) prohibiting airlines from denying boarding on a return flight because a passenger did not take the outbound flight; (2) improving fare transparency by requiring airlines to display fares inclusive of an allowance for one item of hand baggage before the booking process begins and (3) strengthening protections for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, children, unaccompanied minors and pregnant passengers. The regulation will enter into force 12 months and 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation to discontinue the European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, citing its inadequate performance relative to maintenance costs. The regulation, which awaits a second reading in the European Parliament, will remove associated obligations for administrations and online businesses. If passed without amendments, the new legislation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. The Council has also proposed replacing the ODR platform with a new digital tool within three months of the revised Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) directive taking effect.

The Council of the EU has announced the adoption of a directive that revises the rules on package travel, aiming to strengthen protections for travellers who purchase a bundle of tourist services. Key changes include: (1) an updated definition of package travel; (2) enhanced information requirements provided to consumers both before and after their trips; (3) clarification of travellers’ rights to cancellation and refunds; (4) conditions governing the use of vouchers as an alternative to refunds and (5) enhanced protection rules in cases of organiser insolvency, including an obligation to establish complaint‑handling systems and refund timelines. The revised rules will enter into force 20 days after their publication in the official journal and Member States will have 28 months to implement them.

The Council of the EU has adopted a revising directive aimed at making the representation of workers in large multinational companies more effective. The new directive amends the existing rules on European Works Councils (EWCs) by clarifying how they are set up, their resources and the protection of members.