The Commission has included two legislative initiatives in its 2026 work programme, both aimed at reviving EU competitiveness through innovation: the EU innovation act and the EU research act. While the first initiative is expected to enhance the framework conditions for the creation and scale-up of innovation, the second would focus on encouraging further public and private investment in research and innovation. Given their complementarity in the same policy domain of EU research and innovation, this briefing provides a combined analysis of their expected objectives and provisions, as well as the relevant positions expressed by the other EU institutions and stakeholders. These initiatives would address several key challenges to enhance Europe’s competitiveness. These include: - Strengthening investment in research and innovation across the public and private sectors to match the target of an annual volume of investment in R&D equivalent to 3 % of GDP; - Facilitating access to finance for innovative companies, including small and medium-sized businesses; - Pooling the research and innovation agenda across Member States, harnessing the relevant EU programmes Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund; - Improving the framework conditions for the diffusion of innovation across the single market, including through the development of regulatory schemes supporting the testing of innovative solutions (regulatory sandboxes). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines the historical evolution of the Erasmus+ programme and assesses the legislative proposal currently discussed for the 2028–2034 programme period. It identifies structural challenges related to linking broader ambitions to budgetary realities; balancing flexibility with governance and oversight in Erasmus+; the adequacy of support; inclusion and unequal access; and administrative complexity. The study also evaluates whether the proposed changes correspond to the problems identified in programme evaluations and studies. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In recent years, concerns over the impact of social media on minors have increased, prompting governments around the world, including in several EU Member States, to consider restricting children's access to social media. In March 2026, UNICEF reported that nearly 40 countries worldwide are discussing, proposing, adopting or implementing age-based restrictions. This marks a clear acceleration compared with previous years, when only a few countries were considering such measures. Early implementation, notably in Australia, suggests that these restrictions are not yet very effective. Although social media platforms have removed and deactivated millions of accounts belonging to users under 16, many children continue to access social media. Many experts caution that various age assurance technologies remain imperfect. Some methods may infringe privacy or wrongly exclude certain people, while others are ineffective when borrowed or bought accounts or various techniques are used to alter children's appearance. Within the EU, the proliferation of national initiatives restricting children's access to social media also raises the risk of regulatory fragmentation across Member States. National rules vary in terms of the minimum age proposed, terminology used and the scope of restrictions imposed. At the same time, the feasibility of national restrictions is constrained by the existing EU legal framework. Member States must act in compliance with EU law, including legislation on digital services and data protection, as well as fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. To avoid fragmentation of laws across the EU, several Member States and the European Parliament have called for the exploration of a common EU approach, including the introduction of an EU-wide minimum age for social media, or a broader digital majority age. The European Commission has launched a special panel on child safety online to advise it on this issue. It is also advancing work on a harmonised age verification framework. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains how EU directives and regulations have progressively strengthened maritime transport safety standards, largely through the three legislative packages introduced in response to the Erika and Prestige oil tanker disasters. It lays out the objectives and achievements of EU maritime safety policy and the European Parliament’s role in shaping it. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Interinstitutional agreements (IIAs) have existed in various forms since the beginning of EU integration. Only with the Lisbon Treaty, however, did they become formally recognised as potentially legally binding instruments. IIAs' main role has been to facilitate cooperation among the EU's three main political institutions: the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union. Some scholars regard them as essential for interinstitutional cooperation, while others criticise them for frequently exceeding the institutions' enumerated powers and violating institutional balance. A specific category of IIAs, framework agreements, has governed relations between Parliament and the Commission since 2010. The most recent iteration of the framework agreement, updated in 2026, reflects post-Lisbon institutional developments, parliamentary reforms and increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission. It reinforces the European Parliament's position vis-à-vis the Commission and further operationalises the principles of institutional balance and sincere cooperation under Article 13(2) TEU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The IA underpins the proposed legislation that aims to strengthen EU manufacturing and strategic autonomy while ensuring decarbonisation, by boosting demand for low-carbon and EU made products and net zero technologies, promoting foreign investment and simplifying permitting procedures. It provides three policy option packages linked to specific objectives, and explains the need for EU action. However, the IA does not properly set out the reasoning for all the objectives chosen. The policy measures could have been presented in a clearer way, with an explanation of the cumulative effect of combining them. The IA assesses economic impacts in detail but lacks an in-depth analysis of the social and environmental impacts or the implications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Stakeholders' views on measures are integrated throughout the IA, and the consultation activities are adequately described. The IA offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis, but on several occasions the sources are partial or even questionable. Most Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) recommendations have been taken on board, improving the quality of the IA. The Commission's legislative proposal differs from the preferred policy option, which is clarified in the explanatory memorandum. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the concept of posted workers – employees sent by their employer to work temporarily in another EU country – and outlines why and how the practice of posting workers is regulated under EU law. It presents the EU laws that aim to ensure fair competition when services are provided across EU borders while also protecting the social rights of posted workers. It concludes by highlighting the European Parliament’s work in driving reform, to improve regulation and enforcement. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines pricing in public EV charging and onshore power supply (OPS), focusing on transparency, comparability, market structure and cost drivers across the EU. It assesses whether prices appear reasonable or potentially excessive and identifies policy options to improve consumer protection, fairness and investment conditions. This document was prepared by FIER Sustainable Mobility at the request of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Women remain under-represented in EU agriculture, particularly as farm managers, while much of their contribution as spouses and unpaid family workers remains invisible and unrecognised. Around one third of EU farms are managed by women, but structural barriers persist in land ownership, inheritance, access to resources, and policymaking. Patrilineal land transfer patterns continue to limit women's access to farmland, EU common agricultural policy (CAP) subsidies, and decision-making roles. Existing data, including Eurostat figures, capture female farm holders but overlook the scale of informal and unpaid labour performed by spouses (mainly women) on farms, resulting in an incomplete picture. Research highlights that the CAP remains largely gender-blind, despite EU commitments to gender equality. The European Parliament has consistently addressed gender equality in agriculture through multiple resolutions, highlighting women's key role in rural economies while calling for more targeted support and better gender-disaggregated data. The proposed multiannual financial framework for the years 2028 to 2034, with its new structure of bringing several sectoral rules under a single legislative framework, would elevate gender equality to a structurally embedded horizontal principle across several EU policy areas, including agriculture – a sector where gender mainstreaming has historically been treated as an afterthought. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The aim of the initiative is to combat firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences so as to increase citizens' protection against the threat posed by illicit firearms. The impact assessment (IA) identifies three problems relating to the high number of illegal firearms on the EU territory, challenges in cross-border cooperation to fight firearms-related crimes, and insufficient data in this area. It defines four specific objectives linking problem drivers to problems, and consequences. In addition to the baseline scenario, the IA describes four partially overlapping policy options and assesses their social, economic, fundamental rights, digitalisation and youth impacts. Owing to insufficient reliable data, most of the impacts are not quantified. Moreover, the IA seems to rely uncritically on the assumption that enhanced regulation would have greater positive impacts. The regulatory costs are assessed and quantified in more detail, although there are inconsistencies in the presentation of the figures. The IA does not discuss impacts on data protection and privacy, although certain measures may affect both. The IA compares the policy options according to the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, and proportionality. However, the methodology is rather confusing and lacks adequate explanation. It is not always clear why an option scores better than another, and stated objectives seem to be taken as evidence of impact. The IA describes a monitoring and evaluation framework, which includes relevant indicators linked with the specific objectives. It also provides for an evaluation study to be carried out no earlier than five years after the deadline for transposition. The IA is based on a broad consultation of relevant stakeholders, whose views are extensively discussed and considered throughout the IA. The lack of comprehensive and reliable data on firearms-related offences and cases is one of the major challenges of the IA. The IA discusses data limitations and, whenever possible, uses qualitative information (case studies) to compensate for the lack of reliable quantitative data. Despite these efforts, data limitations continue to cast doubt over some of the assertions included in the IA. According to the IA, the text was revised to implement the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) comments from the second opinion (which was positive with reservations), but without providing explanations about what was changed. Some of the shortcomings identified by the RSB have not been fully addressed. For example, the intervention logic described in the IA does not fully justify whether the harmonisation of minimum and maximum penalties would reduce illicit firearms activities. The proposal appears to follow the preferred policy option identified in the IA. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Questo studio fa parte di un progetto più ampio, il cui scopo è quello di analizzare, nella prospettiva del diritto comparato, la libertà d’impresa in diversi ordinamenti giuridici. Dopo una breve introduzione storica e l’illustrazione del diritto positivo e della giurisprudenza applicabili, vengono esaminati il contenuto, i limiti e la possibile evoluzione di tale libertà. Il presente studio è dedicato alla libertà d’impresa nell’ordinamento giuridico belga. La libertà d’impresa trova il suo equivalente, nel diritto belga, nella libertà d’intraprendere. Essa non è consacrata dalla Costituzione, ma la Corte costituzionale si è dichiarata competente, sulla base degli artt. 10 e 11, a controllare la validità di una legge che determini una lesione del principio di uguaglianza rispetto a tale libertà. Essa ha inoltre valore di legge speciale e si impone alle entità federate, mentre la Corte di cassazione ha riconosciuto che si tratta di un principio di ordine pubblico. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Methods to reflect sunlight, known as solar radiation modification (SRM), have received growing attention as a potential complementary approach to address climate change, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide (CO2) removal and adaptation. SRM could lower temperatures by reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface. In 2024, the EU's Group of Chief Scientific Advisors issued a scientific opinion on SRM, followed in October 2025 by reports from the United Kingdom's (UK's) Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences. Also that October, an Israeli-US startup received US$60 million (€51 million) of funding for SRM research and experiments. In May 2025, the UK launched a £56.8 million (€66 million) programme to explore the feasibility, safety and governance of climate cooling approaches. While various international agreements apply to it, there is no comprehensive framework to regulate SRM. It is also unclear which international organisation should be in charge of developing such a framework. The Convention on Biological Diversity decided on a de-facto moratorium on outdoor SRM activities, while the United Nations (UN) Environment Assembly discussed the governance of SRM without reaching a consensus. The EU insists on application of the precautionary principle to SRM and supports related risk assessments. The European Parliament calls for an EU-wide moratorium on the use of SRM and advocates a global SRM governance framework based on a firm stance of non-deployment. This briefing summarises the state of knowledge about various proposed SRM methods and associated risks, explains their potential role in global climate action, gives an overview of the existing rules for SRM research and development, and outlines options for the future governance of SRM research. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the purpose of REACT-EU, which was a programme that was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mobilised funding forthe years 2021 and 2022.The fact sheet outlines the positions of the EU institutions in the negotiations on REACT-EU, especially with regard to the programme’s budget. IthighlightsParliament’s role in the process in particular, including the work of its Committee on Regional Development. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the evolution and key elements of EU employment policy, from its origins to current priorities. It outlines the 1997 European employment strategy, the commitments to improve the labour market in the Europe 2020 strategy, and the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (2021), which raised ambitions further. Member States retain primary responsibility for employment policy, but EU law plays a role in specific areas and the EU monitors how employment policy is implemented. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the special status of the European Union’s nine outermost regions – territories of France, Portugal and Spain that lie far from the European continent and face distinct geographical, economic and social challenges. It outlines the legal basis for EU support, the financial instruments and policy frameworks through which the EU compensates for these constraints, and the active role Parliament has played in championing the specific needs of these regions. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines reasonable pricing in public EV charging and onshore power supply (OPS), focusing on transparency, comparability, market structure and cost drivers across the EU. It assesses whether prices appear reasonable or potentially excessive and identifies policy options to improve consumer protection, fairness and investment conditions. This document was prepared by FIER Sustainable Mobility at the request of the Committee on Transport and Tourism. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing provides information on the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18 to 23 May 2026. It explains the functioning of the WHO and the significance of the WHA. It also provides an overview of the key agenda items of the 79th WHA, together with comments and references to measures adopted by the European Parliament and the European Union in relation to the issues addressed during the Assembly. One of the WHO’s most important recent achievements is the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement in May 2025. The PABS Annex to the Agreement is currently under negotiation. The Annex is intended to ensure that researchers and pharmaceutical companies have timely access to pathogens in order to accelerate the development of vaccines, treatments, and other medical countermeasures during future pandemics. Once the PABS Annex has been finalised, countries may proceed with the signature and ratification of the Pandemic Agreement. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Primary forests are large, self-regulating ecosystems of exceptional ecological importance. In Europe, they are rare, fragmented, and pressured by infrastructure, and intensive forestry. Their strict protection is urgent for biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and other ecosystem services. Novel Primary Forests (NPFs) are large, self-regulating forests with minimal human intervention under development that offer a strategic way to restore ecological integrity and enhance climate and socio-economic benefits. This study evaluates the feasibility, ecological foundations, and socio-economic conditions for establishing NPFs in western Europe, where only small relics of original primary forests remain. Building on earlier studies, it focuses on areas supporting a contiguous core zone of more than 10 000 hectares unmanaged reserve, forming – together with a buffer zone of low-intensity managed forest – a protected area of more than 70 000 hectares, and embedded in a large socio-economic transition zone. Key criteria were selected and applied to promising regions and National Parks. The study combines literature review, policy analysis, and field assessments to create an evidence-based framework for strategic planning. Examples from Bayerischer Wald-Šumava, Canigou-Canigó, Gerês-Xurés and Hohes Venn-Eifel show feasibility across contexts. Finally, seven policy options are proposed, focusing on innovation, finance, and legal permanence for NPFs. Together, they translate the biodiversity-climate goals of the European Green Deal into an operational framework enabling NPFs to deliver long term benefits for nature conservation, climate mitigation, and adaptation across the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Primary forests are large, self-regulating ecosystems of exceptional ecological importance. In Europe, they are rare, fragmented, and pressured by infrastructure, and intensive forestry. Their strict protection is urgent for biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and other ecosystem services. Novel Primary Forests (NPFs) are large, self-regulating forests with minimal human intervention under development that offer a strategic way to restore ecological integrity and enhance climate and socio-economic benefits. This study evaluates the feasibility, ecological foundations, and socio-economic conditions for establishing NPFs in western Europe, where only small relics of original primary forests remain. Building on earlier studies, it focuses on areas supporting a contiguous core zone of more than 10 000 hectares unmanaged reserve, forming – together with a buffer zone of low-intensity managed forest – a protected area of more than 70 000 hectares, and embedded in a large socio-economic transition zone. Key criteria were selected and applied to promising regions and National Parks. The study combines literature review, policy analysis, and field assessments to create an evidence-based framework for strategic planning. Examples from Bayerischer Wald-Šumava, Canigou-Canigó, Gerês-Xurés and Hohes Venn-Eifel show feasibility across contexts. Finally, seven policy options are proposed, focusing on innovation, finance, and legal permanence for NPFs. Together, they translate the biodiversity-climate goals of the European Green Deal into an operational framework enabling NPFs to deliver long term benefits for nature conservation, climate mitigation, and adaptation across the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Drug trafficking poses a growing threat to citizens' wellbeing, and to EU security and the economy. As one of the primary revenue streams for organised crime, it fuels violence, corruption and instability – with over half of the EU's most dangerous criminal networks deeply involved. The EU's affluent consumer base sustains demand, while its internal market, extensive transport networks and open borders make it an attractive destination for illicit drugs. Over the past decade, the scale and sophistication of drug trafficking operations have grown exponentially, with criminal networks exploiting global supply chains, digital platforms and socioeconomic weaknesses to expand their operations. The impact is considerable. Beyond generating massive criminal profits, drug trafficking harms public health, undermines communities and undermines the legal economy, e.g. through money-laundering or corruption. Moreover, the drugs trade incites violence and other criminal activity, causes environmental damage, erodes democratic institutions and strengthens corruption, threatening the rule of law. In response, the EU has adopted a multi-faceted strategy, combining law enforcement, judicial cooperation, prevention and global partnerships. The European Parliament has been instrumental in shaping legislation, securing funding and pushing for accountability. Recent policies – such as the EU drugs strategy and EU action plan against drug trafficking – reflect a proactive and adaptive approach, while EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies play a critical role in intelligence-sharing and cross-border operations. Drug markets are rapidly changing and are increasingly sophisticated, driven by globalisation, digitalisation, and increased violence. The EU is fighting back with a strategy and actions focused on law enforcement, international cooperation, and prevention. But the challenge is growing: globalised, digital, and more violent – and the EU is aware of the need to adopt a proactive and adaptive approach. Success in the fight against drug trafficking depends on sustained cooperation between EU institutions, law enforcement and other national authorities, civil society, businesses, and international partners to cut supply, reduce demand, and protect European citizens. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Primary forests are large, self-regulating ecosystems of exceptional ecological importance. In Europe, they are rare, fragmented, and pressured by infrastructure, and intensive forestry. Their strict protection is urgent for biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and other ecosystem services. Novel Primary Forests (NPFs) are large, self-regulating forests with minimal human intervention under development that offer a strategic way to restore ecological integrity and enhance climate and socio-economic benefits. This study evaluates the feasibility, ecological foundations, and socio-economic conditions for establishing NPFs in western Europe, where only small relics of original primary forests remain. Building on earlier studies, it focuses on areas supporting a contiguous core zone of more than 10 000 hectares unmanaged reserve, forming – together with a buffer zone of low-intensity managed forest – a protected area of more than 70 000 hectares, and embedded in a large socio-economic transition zone. Key criteria were selected and applied to promising regions and National Parks. The study combines literature review, policy analysis, and field assessments to create an evidence-based framework for strategic planning. Examples from Bayerischer Wald-Šumava, Canigou-Canigó, Gerês-Xurés and Hohes Venn-Eifel show feasibility across contexts. Finally, seven policy options are proposed, focusing on innovation, finance, and legal permanence for NPFs. Together, they translate the biodiversity-climate goals of the European Green Deal into an operational framework enabling NPFs to deliver long term benefits for nature conservation, climate mitigation, and adaptation across the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet illustrates theEuropean Social Fund Plus(ESF+) and its history. It explains how the European Social Fund, initiallyset up to improve employment opportunities, has been revised,reflecting developments in national economic and employment situationsand the evolution of the EU’s political priorities, such as the green and digital transitions. Today, the ESF+ is the main EU instrument for supporting employment and social inclusion in the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet describes the measures taken by the EU to harmonise as much as possible the legislation governing road transport in the EU.It is impossible to create a single European market for road transport without harmonising the relevant legal provisions in force in EU countries. The measures adopted by the EU are of a fiscal, technical, administrative and social nature. This fact sheet covers the legal framework, its objectives and achievements, and Parliament’s role in shaping the rules. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains what the common security and defence policy (CSDP) is and how it works, and outlines how it is governed. It gives an overview of the main policies that fall under the CSDP and their aims, as well as how these have developed in recent years, notably in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The key objectives of CSDP missions and operations are also addressed, as is the European Parliament’s role in scrutinising and contributing to the policy. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This factsheet explains how the EU financesthe development of Trans-European Networks (TENs) –thelarge scaletransport, energy and digital infrastructure networks that connect Member States. It describes the main funding instrument,the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) andoutlines how projects are selected and funded. It sets out the budget for 2021-2027 and gives details of the complementary funding sources: Structural Fund assistance, aid from the European Investment Bank and contributions from the private sector.It also explains Parliament’s role in shaping the priorities and overseeing TEN investments. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains the EU’s common classification of territorial units for statistics, known as ‘NUTS’. It describes the three-level hierarchical system, how territorial units are defined and how their sizeis determined, and explains the process for amending the classification.It also sets out Parliament’s role in scrutinising and shaping the NUTS framework, which underpins EU regional statistics and cohesion policy (the EU’s main regional investment policy). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Over a thousand women are killed in the EU each year in circumstances that often point to a gender-related motive, and the perpetrators are most commonly intimate partners or family members. Data collected by a number of EU Member States on female homicides show no consistent downward trend, despite a range of measures aimed at combating gender-based violence. Widely publicised cases of femicide have highlighted systemic failures in prevention and victim protection, and have driven legislative reforms in several Member States. These include the introduction of femicide as an aggravating circumstance alongside measures on prevention, victim support and data collection.Experts recommend avoiding an exclusive focus on harsher criminal penalties and instead implementing a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of femicide, strengthening prevention efforts, improving victim protection, enhancing data collection and raising public awareness.At the EU level, existing legislative and non-legislative measures address gender-based violence more broadly but do not specifically recognise femicide as a distinct crime. The European Parliament has therefore urged for its formal recognition at EU level, arguing that this would improve legal clarity, data comparability and the effectiveness of prevention and protection measures. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The EU's Horizon Europe framework programme promotes European innovation. The current Horizon Europe programme uses 'Widening' measures to target Member States, support their capacity to innovate, close gaps between EU countries and move towards performance convergence. This study provides a framework and associated indicator options for establishing a systemic 'Widening 2.0' methodology which could prove instrumental in discussing post-Horizon Europe 'widening' support measures. It is based on assessment of research and innovation indicators of targeted 'widening' countries, looking at the economic and research impact that Horizon Europe may have had between 2018 and 2025 Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), established in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis under the temporary Next Generation EU recovery instrument, is entering its critical final phase. With over €405 billion already disbursed to Member States – out of the €577 billion available in grants and loans – the priority now is to ensure that all the outstanding milestones and targets (implementing steps) linked to investment and reform measures featured in the Member States' national recovery and resilience plans are completed by 31 August 2026, and that the remaining payments are made by the end of 2026 at the latest. To support this final stretch, the European Commission issued its closing RFF guidelines on 4 May 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the European Union has been under a clear legal obligation to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). More than a decade later, that obligation remains unfulfilled. Consequently, while individuals may bring applications before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against EU Member States, when an EU Member State violates their human rights, they cannot bring applications directly against the EU itself. The EU's accession to the ECHR raises complex constitutional and institutional questions, particularly concerning the autonomy of EU law, the essential characteristics of the EU legal order and the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In 2013, a draft accession agreement was negotiated between the EU and the Council of Europe. However, in its landmark Opinion 2/13, the CJEU found that the draft agreement was incompatible with EU law. Accession negotiations resumed in 2020, culminating in a revised draft accession agreement in 2023. While the revised text appears to address all the objections raised by the CJEU in Opinion 2/13, questions remain, particularly in relation to the scope of the CJEU's jurisdiction in cases concerning the EU's common foreign and security policy. In September 2024, the CJEU delivered two rulings that may resolve the outstanding issues concerning the scope of its jurisdiction. Subsequently, in December 2025, the European Commission requested an advisory opinion from the CJEU on the compatibility of the 2023 draft agreement with EU law. That procedure is currently pending. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study was prepared by the Policy Department at the request of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI). It examines the bioeconomy's role in future EU agriculture, focusing on promoting farms' economic sustainability. The paper analyses policy frameworks, successful circular models, and trends in biomass valorisation to identify strategies for income diversification. Finally, it provides policy options to boost bioeconomy initiatives and strengthen value chains within the European farming sector. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study was prepared by the Policy Department at the request of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI). It examines the bioeconomy's role in future EU agriculture, focusing on promoting farms' economic sustainability. The paper analyses policy frameworks, successful circular models, and trends in biomass valorisation to identify strategies for income diversification. Finally, it provides policy options to boost bioeconomy initiatives and strengthen value chains within the European farming sector. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Commission published the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) legislative proposal on 4 March 2026. Its aim is to strengthen EU competitiveness and industrial resilience in the face of global pressures. The IAA would set a target to increase the share of all industrial manufacturing to 20 % of EU GDP by 2035 (up from 14.3 % in 2024). The key sectors covered by the proposed act include energy-intensive industries, net-zero technologies and the automotive industry. The proposal would also introduce measures to apply 'Made in EU' and low-carbon preferences in public procurement and public support schemes, set conditions on foreign direct investment (FDI), launch industrial acceleration areas to boost manufacturing, and simplify permitting processes for industrial manufacturing projects. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing presents a comparative assessment of the European Parliament’s resolution with recommendations to the European Commission on the 28th regime, adopted on 20 January 2026; and the European Commission's proposal for a 28th regime corporate legal framework presented on 18 March 2026. While the two institutions are well aligned on the broad objectives of the initiative, there are notable divergences in the proposed measures. First, the scope of eligible companies following the Commission's proposal is broad without ensuring a clear and consistent definition across the EU. Although all limited liability companies – including publicly listed entities – would be eligible for registration as 28th regime companies, only a subset would qualify for a 'simplified procedure' in the event of insolvency, on the basis of criteria to be determined at Member State level. Second, the proposed 'dual-track' digital registration system would accommodate only a limited range of actions. Third, the Commission proposal does not provide for the establishment of a specialised dispute resolution mechanism. While seeking to address the fragmentation of corporate legal frameworks in the European Union, the Commission proposal could potentially introduce new sources of fragmentation with detrimental impacts for innovative companies – through a more uneven and less predictable business environment across the EU – and for investors, through reduced access to comprehensive, centralised information and lower legal certainty. The European added value of the Commission's proposal could be limited by these impacts, which could hinder cross-border investment and the scale-up of innovative companies in the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP