The Council of the EU has approved conclusions on the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), acknowledging its expanded role due to recent legislative initiatives and increasing cyber threats. The Council has recommended adequate resourcing to match ENISA's growing responsibilities, while emphasising the need for prioritisation and cooperation to avoid task duplication. The conclusions call for improvements in certification schemes and the establishment of a single reporting platform, recognising ENISA's crucial role in enhancing situational awareness and crisis response across the EU.

The Council of the European Union has reached an agreement to amend the European Climate Law (ECL) by introducing a binding intermediate target for 2040, requiring a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to 1990 levels. This target is a key step in the EU’s efforts toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and will guide future Commission legislative proposals. The amendment also outlines areas of flexibility and key elements for both the 2040 target and the post-2030 climate framework, ensuring that the transition supports member states and industry. These provisions aim to steer upcoming legislation in a way that balances ambition with economic resilience, providing flexibility to help achieve the 2040 target while supporting European citizens and businesses throughout the transition.

The Council has given final approval to postpone implementation dates for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The changes delay CSRD requirements by two years for large companies and listed SMEs, with reporting now starting from 1 January 2027 and 2028 respectively. The CSDDD transposition deadline moves to 26 July 2027, with first phase application beginning 26 July 2028. The changes are part of the Commission's February 2025 'Omnibus I' package aimed at simplifying EU sustainability legislation.

The Council has approved a revised regulation on Euratom safeguards, aiming to simplify and align the supervision of nuclear materials with technological progress. The regulation clarifies reporting requirements, reduces administrative burdens, and introduces safeguards-by-design. The new rules will be effective 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The Commission will provide compliance guidelines and evaluate the regulation's application 10 years after its entry into force. The Commission has announced it will launch a chemicals industry package in 2025 as well as a targeted revision of the EU rules on chemicals (REACH).

The Council of the European Union has adopted its negotiating mandate for a regulation to launch an EU digital travel application, under which travellers—EU citizens and third-country nationals—may voluntarily create and use digital travel credentials to pre-submit data and enable remote checks at external EU borders. Developed by eu-LISA, the system will comprise a mobile app, a backend validation service and a traveller router, and will link with the Entry/Exit System (operational since October 2025), ETIAS (from 2026) and digital visa applications, with passports/ID cards still required at the border. The measure aims to cut waiting times, strengthen document authenticity checks and enhance security against fraud and illegal migration across the EU’s external frontiers. tTe Council presidency will open negotiations with the European Parliament once Parliament agrees its position; no change for travellers until the law is adopted and implemented, and use of digital credentials will remain optional.

The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on the European Commission’s proposed pharmaceutical legislation, known as the ‘pharma package’, and is now prepared to enter negotiations with the European Parliament. This package represents the most significant reform to EU medicine laws in over twenty years and comprises a regulation and directive aimed at improving access to medicines, enhancing industry competitiveness, strengthening supply chains, and minimising environmental impacts.

The Council of the EU has adopted a new regulation postponing the application of due diligence obligations under the EU Batteries Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) from 18 August 2025 to 18 August 2027. The delay, part of the ‘Omnibus IV’ simplification package, gives producers and exporters of batteries more time to comply with environmental and waste-related requirements, and addresses delays in authorising third-party verification bodies. The regulation also mandates the European Commission to publish due diligence implementation guidelines by 18 August 2026 to support smooth and timely compliance. The regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the coming days and will enter into force the day after publication.

The Council of the EU has announced its endorsement of the EU Directive aimed at harmonising key aspects of insolvency law across member states. This initiative is designed to align national insolvency regimes, thereby reducing legal divergences that currently deter foreign and cross-border investment. Notably, the Directive introduces a pre-pack mechanism accessible in all member states, enabling the pre-negotiation and swift execution of business sales during insolvency, along with provisions for the automatic transfer of essential executory contracts under controlled safeguards. In addition, the directive mandates the establishment of creditors’ committees in certain cases to enhance creditor participation, with harmonised rules regarding their composition, rights, duties, and liability—with the option for member states to confine this requirement to large enterprises. Further measures agreed in December 2024 include protections for the insolvency estate, clarified directors' duties regarding insolvency proceedings, and strengthened transparency obligations. The Council now intends to negotiate with the European Parliament to finalise these provisions into law.

The Council has established a general approachon a Regulation for the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), with the European Parliament yet to adopt its first reading. The system aims to enhance border security by recording biometric data of non-EU nationals. A separate European Commission decision will set the start date for deployment once the law is in force.

Local Government analysis: This case involved the London Borough of Enfield (the Council) and several defendants, including individuals living on boats on the River Lea and separate structures on the embankment owned by the Council. The land in question is part of the Meridian Water Regeneration Project (‘Regeneration Project), a significant development initiative aimed at constructing approximately 10,000 residential homes, commercial premises and infrastructure improvements. The Council sought an injunction to prevent the unauthorised moorings and occupation of its land so as to be able to proceed with the Regeneration Project. In the High Court, Deputy Judge Jason Beer KC granted the final injunction, emphasising the compelling justification for preventing unauthorised moorings that obstructed essential infrastructure works. Written by Clive Adams, partner at Birketts LLP.

The European Council has established its negotiating position on the Omnibus VI package, which seeks to simplify the classification, packaging, and labelling rules for chemicals, cosmetics, and fertilising products while ensuring robust consumer and environmental protection.

The Council of the EU has adopted amendments to extend the gas storage regulation by two years beyond its current 2025 expiry date. The revised regulation maintains the 90% storage target but introduces new flexibility measures, including a wider compliance window between 1 October and 1 December, replacing the previous 1 November deadline. Additional provisions include a 10% flexibility allowance for difficult filling conditions, with potential for 5% more through European Commission delegated acts, while intermediate storage targets become indicative rather than binding. The regulation will enter into force the day following its publication in the EU's Official Journal.