The European Commission has opened a consultation on proposed amendments to the European List of Waste to include new battery chemistries and updated manufacturing and recycling processes. The revision aims to clarify the status of different waste streams as hazardous or non-hazardous and improve their identification, monitoring, and traceability. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 8 November 2024.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 on protective measures against plant pests. The draft would revise Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes for plants, plant products and other objects listed in the Regulation to align them with the latest revision of the CN, with additional changes reflecting updated customs classification practices. The proposed amendments affect Annexes VI, VII, X, XI and XII and include removing certain veneer-related CN codes where they do not relate to the possible presence of fungal pests, deleting erroneously included codes for mouldings for picture and other frames and adding codes for growing medium and root and tubercle vegetables. If adopted, the implementing regulation would enter into force on the 20th day following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The consultation closes on 22 October 2026.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on the draft guidelines of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to seek views on the integrity of electoral processes. The draft guidelines, issued by the Commission under Article 35 of the DSA, aim to present Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines with possible measures to mitigate systemic risks on their platforms which may threaten the integrity of democratic electoral processes. The guidelines also provide measures to mitigate risks relating to elections, generative AI content, the planning of an electoral event and the European Parliament elections. The deadline to provide responses is 7 March 2024.

The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation assessing the adequacy of macroprudential policies for non-bank financial intermediation (NBFI). The consultation aims to identify vulnerabilities and risks of NBFI, map the existing macroprudential framework and gather feedback on current challenges to macroprudential supervision and areas for further improvements. Responses are sought by 22 November 2024.

The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to gather feedback on obstacles to capital markets integration across the EU. This consultation is part of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) strategy, which aims to enhance the EU economy's competitiveness by improving the financial system's ability to channel savings into productive investments, thereby offering better financial opportunities for citizens and businesses. The consultation seeks stakeholders' views on barriers to cross-border trading, scaling up investment funds, and harmonising supervisory practices. It also addresses the integration and modernisation of trading and post-trading infrastructures, the distribution of funds across the EU, and efficient cross-border operations of asset management, while considering supervision-related barriers. The insights gathered will inform legislative proposals expected in Q4 2025, focusing on removing these barriers and promoting capital markets integration. Responses are sought by 10 June 2025.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on draft revised rules for the storage of fresh meat from domestic ungulates before freezing, following a European Food Safety Authority opinion on microbiological safety. The proposal would require meat to be frozen within 6 days of slaughter where it is stored and transported at no more than 7°C, or within 14 days where it is kept at no more than 3°C. Food business operators could use other time and temperature conditions where scientific evidence demonstrates their safety to the competent authority, including an assessment of pathogens and spoilage bacteria before freezing and after defrosting. The changes would not apply to meat from even-toed farmed game mammals, for which the existing requirement to freeze without undue delay would remain, as the available evidence does not support extending the new conditions to such meat. Feedback is open until 5 October 2026.

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on revising the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (EU SFDR).  The Commission says that the focus will be on addressing undue burdens by simplifying and streamlining requirements. This includes reducing the burden of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting for financial market participants, enabling them to focus on the information most meaningful for investors. Responses are sought by 30 May 2025, and the feedback received will inform the development of a proposed regulation scheduled for adoption in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a draft implementing act establishing a scientific advisory group of independent AI experts. The group will provide technical advice, assist in implementing and enforcing the EU AI Act and alert the AI Office to risks posed by AI models. The deadline to respond to the consultation is 15 November 2024.

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on the ‘GreenData4All’ initiative which will help deliver on Europe’s green and digital transformation. The call comes as the Commission notes that the functioning of the INSPIRE Directive should be improved and environmental data sharing need updating to promote and facilitate data holders’ participation in the Green Deal Data Space. The initiative will update EU rules, aiming to make the INSPIRE Directive more effective and cost-efficient for environmental data sharing in support of environmental policy development and implementation. It will enable greater sharing of data between the public and private sectors and with the general public and unlock the full benefits of data sharing for data-driven innovation and evidence-based decisions. The Commission is inviting feedback to further develop and fine-tune this initiative. The deadline for response is 25 March 2024 (midnight Brussels time).

Ireland-Commercial analysis: This article, was written by Vincent Power of A&L Goodbody LLP and discusses lessons for the wider business community

The European Commission has designated Booking as a gatekeeper under the EU Digital Markets Act (EU DMA), on the basis of Booking’s self-assessment submitted on 1 March 2024, with the reasoning that Booking is a core platform service which acts as an important gateway between businesses and customers. On the other hand, the Commission has also opened a market investigation into X to further assess its rebuttal submitted on 1 March 2024 which argues that despite meeting the thresholds, X does not qualify as an important gateway between businesses and consumers. The investigation should be completed by October 2024.

The European Commission has formally designated Shein as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA) on 26 April 2024. Shein, a Singapore-based fashion online retailer with an average of more than 45m monthly users in the EU, will have to comply with the most stringent rules under the EU DSA within four months of the notification—by the end of August 2024.