The Council of the European Union has agreed its negotiating mandate on a draft directive under the European Biotech Act I package, which aims to strengthen biotechnology innovation by updating EU rules on genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) and organ processing. The proposal seeks to accelerate the market entry of certain GMMs that meet predefined safety standards and to reflect scientific advances in organ transplantation. The Council’s position clarifies terminology, aligns provisions with existing EU legislation, defines the respective responsibilities of the European Commission and Member States, and replaces the term ‘low-risk GMMs’ with ‘GMMs eligible for an expedited procedure’. It also distinguishes between autologous organ transplants and transplants between different individuals to ensure emergency procedures are not unnecessarily restricted. In addition, the Council introduced a safeguard limiting initial consent for placing GMMs on the market to a maximum of 10 years before renewal, and added provisions allowing the processing of personal data for organ transplantation where necessary for patient safety, healthcare quality and cross-border analysis of transplant outcomes. The European Parliament will now establish its position before negotiations begin on the final text.

The Council of the European Union has agreed a negotiating mandate on the review of the crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework for banks. It includes a set of measures designed to strengthen the existing EU crisis management framework, and in particular to improve the resolution process for small and medium-sized banks.

The Council of the EU has agreed a negotiating position on updating EU rules on organic production and labelling to simplify and clarify the existing framework while supporting the continued growth of the organic sector across Europe. The Council of the EU’s position focuses on simplification and flexibility for small operators including exemptions from certification for certain small online retailers of pre-packed organic products, rules on imported organic products and labelling and temporary flexibility for non-organic protein feed for poultry and pigs and aquaculture juveniles. The Council of the EU also removed the European Commission’s proposal to allow the EU organic label on products containing up to 5% ingredients from third countries that do not meet additional criteria. Negotiations between the Council presidency and the European Parliament are expected to begin as soon as possible with the EU aiming to reach agreement before the end of 2026 ahead of the expiry of the current recognition agreement for third countries on 31 December 2026.

The Council of the EU has agreed its initial negotiating position on the following elements of the 'Omnibus VIII' environmental simplification package:

The Council of the EU has agreed on a common Member States’ position on a new law to improve cooperation between national data protection authorities when enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This aims to boost the process of handling cross-border complaints filed by citizens or organisations, and any follow-up investigations. The Council of the EU has amended the draft regulation to include clearer timelines, enhanced and efficient cooperation between authorities, and introduced an early resolution mechanism allowing authorities to resolve a case before beginning the standard procedures for dealing with a cross-border complaint.

The Council of the EU has agreed on its position regarding a proposal for an EU Talent Pool to enable talent recruitment from outside the EU. The EU Talent Pool will be set up as an online platform which will match job vacancies with the profiles of jobseekers from outside the EU to address the shortage occupations of EU employers and make the EU labour market more competitive. The Council is expected to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on the final legislation.

EU Member States’ ambassadors have agreed on the Council of the EU’s partial negotiating mandate on the proposed Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). STEP will help investments in critical technologies in the digital and deep tech, clean tech and biotech fields, minimise the EU’s strategic dependencies and improve the EU’s long-term competitiveness. The negotiating mandate’s position on additional financial support for STEP will rely on the results of the horizontal negotiations on the mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.

The Council agreed on its negotiating position on 19 June 2025 for a new directive aimed at improving trainee working conditions and preventing false traineeships. The directive covers both employed trainees and those in disguised employment relationships, excluding educational traineeships. Member states will have flexibility in implementation methods and two years to comply once enacted. The directive responds to concerns over trainee exploitation among the EU's three million trainees, with numbers expected to rise 16% by 2030. The Council will begin trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter establishes its position.

The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on a proposal to simplify the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI) under the EU AI Act, as part of the Digital Omnibus within the EU’s broader simplification agenda. The proposal aims to streamline requirements, reduce administrative burdens and ensure more proportionate and harmonised application of AI rules across Member States.

The Council of the EU has agreed its partial negotiating position on three regulations setting out EU financial support for migration, border management and visas and internal security for the period 2028–34. The instruments are intended to support Member States in implementing the pact on migration and asylum, managing the EU’s external borders and visa processing and responding to internal security threats including serious and organised crime, terrorism, violent extremism and cybercrime. The position is partial because financial allocations and horizontal budgetary issues remain subject to the wider negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework.

The Council of the EU has agreed its negotiating position on 26 March 2025 on the 'Stop-the-clock' directive, which aims to postpone Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements by two years for large companies and listed SMEs. The proposal also extends the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive transposition deadline by one year. The measure forms part of the 'Omnibus I' package to simplify EU sustainability legislation. The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on urgent procedure for this proposal on 1 April 2025.

The Council of the EU has agreed its negotiating position on 26 March 2025 on the 'Stop-the-clock' directive, which aims to postpone Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements by two years for large companies and listed SMEs. The proposal also extends the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive transposition deadline by one year. The measure forms part of the 'Omnibus I' package to simplify EU sustainability legislation. The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on urgent procedure for this proposal on 1 April 2025.