Food contact materials (FCMs) include all materials that come into physical contact with food during its production, processing, packaging and storage. They contain thousands of chemicals, some of which can migrate into food, especially at high temperatures, during long contact times or with certain food types. Scientific evidence shows that such migration is common and may contribute to human exposure to hazardous substances, including endocrine disruptors, carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. Well-known examples include phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS, which remain authorised in some applications despite links to adverse health effects. Current risk assessments often consider substances individually and may underestimate combined or cumulative exposure. The EU's core legislation is Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, which sets out general safety and labelling rules, supported by the Good Manufacturing Practice Regulation (EC) 2023/2006. However, only four material types – plastics, ceramics, regenerated cellulose film and active/intelligent materials – are subject to fully harmonised EU rules. The remaining materials (paper, inks, coatings, rubber, metal, etc.) rely mostly on national rules, leading to regulatory fragmentation, uneven safety standards and unclear requirements for industry. In addition, existing rules focus largely on known intentionally added substances, while non intentionally added substances (NIAS), impurities and degradation products remain insufficiently addressed. A 2022 Commission evaluation found the framework only partially effective, with gaps in enforcement, control of NIAS and harmonisation. The Commission has recently reiterated its commitment to further harmonising EU legislation on FCMs. The European Parliament has pushed for stronger rules, contributing to recent EU wide bans on BPA and PFAS in food packaging. Citizens and stakeholders broadly support a comprehensive revision establishing clearer standards, harmonised testing and stronger consumer protection. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Despite strong political commitments to gender equality at EU and national level, women still remain politically under-represented at all levels of political power. In the European Parliament, as well as in national parliaments, governments and local assemblies, their share most often is under the symbolic 40 % mark. Moreover, after successive electoral cycles in which women's share in representative assemblies had increased, this trend has slowed down or come to a halt. Progress has also been uneven among Member States, with women remaining markedly under-represented in some Member States. Gender-balanced political representation is not only important for women and female politicians but also for political parties themselves and the rest of society. It increases trust in the political system and strengthens economic and political governance. The EU has committed to achieving gender balance in political representation and participation in the EU; however, except for the European elections, its powers in the area remain limited mainly to soft action. It can support the specific actions to be taken by the EU institutions, national governments, political parties, civil society and the media, by issuing recommendations, facilitating the exchange of good practice or funding projects. There is substantial evidence of the obstacles to women's political participation and the means to overcome it. This picture is nevertheless not static, as new challenges emerge, particularly from mounting opposition to gender equality, as well as from digital technologies, most recently artificial intelligence, which can both empower women and discourage them. This updates a March 2024 briefing by Ionel Zamfir. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Petition 0445/2025 on the closure of a nuclear power plant in Almaraz, Spain Petition 0819/2024 and Petition 1334/2024 concerning the environmental damage to Cabañeros National Park resulting from the ban on the hunting of ungulates Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study was prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). It analyses the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus package proposals published on 19 November 2025, distinguishing administrative simplification from more substantive recalibration of safeguards across data, privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence areas. The study highlights key areas of controversy (legal certainty, enforcement capacity, and impacts on rights) and sets out areas for consideration for parliamentary scrutiny. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study was prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). It analyses the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus package proposals published on 19 November 2025, distinguishing administrative simplification from more substantive recalibration of safeguards across data, privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence areas. The study highlights key areas of controversy (legal certainty, enforcement capacity, and impacts on rights) and sets out areas for consideration for parliamentary scrutiny. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Academic freedom is widely recognised as a fundamental value of contemporary higher education and research, and as a prerequisite for well-functioning democratic societies. However, in recent years, major concerns have been expressed by various stakeholders about the state of academic freedom in the European Union. The European Parliament annual Academic Freedom Monitor aims to improve the promotion and protection of academic freedom in the European Union. The 2025 edition is organised in two parts. The first part consists of an update of existing measures of academic freedom in all EU Member States, an updated overview of public debate and studies of the state of academic freedom in four selected EU Member States, and an examination of the EU's state of academic freedom in a global context. The second part contains a thematic analysis of the potential impact of selected trends in academic freedom within the EU, namely political polarisation, recent developments in the US higher education and research system, the commercialisation of academia, and foreign interference. Furthermore, EU-level policy options are proposed for possible legislative and non-legislative initiatives to enhance the support for academic freedom in the EU Member States. ITRE, CULT, EUDS, AFET EEAS EC: DG RTD, DG EAC Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This paper assesses the ECB’s monetary policy stance and communication amid declining inflation, persistent uncertainty, and renewed external risks. It documents how trade-policy shocks and global spillovers affect inflation surprises, highlights substantial cross-country inflation heterogeneity within the euro area, and shows that common shocks generate uneven national responses. Using a novel multi-agent LLM framework, it evaluates ECB communication, revealing strengths during active policy adjustments but gaps in addressing inflation dispersion and uncertainty communication. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 26 February 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Rare diseases, which are defined as conditions that affect fewer than 1 in 2 000 individuals, affect around 36 million people in the European Union. Despite existing measures at the EU, national, regional and local levels, there remain significant gaps in research and knowledge as well as variations in access and treatment. This study investigates possible measures that could be taken at EU level to address these challenges. It finds significant European added value in harmonising coordination and access across the 27 Member States, mainly in terms of improved diagnostic tools and availability of medical treatment, better health outcomes, particularly lower infant mortality, and improved well-being of family members and caregivers. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In December 2025, the European Commission published a communication entitled Strengthening EU economic security as a follow-up to its 2023 economic security strategy. Economic developments – whether related to trade, investment or industry – are increasingly viewed through the lens of security. From a foresight perspective, this development can be analysed as the result of three overlapping and partly reinforcing trends. The first is the weakening of a value-based approach to the economy, as exemplified by fair trade agreements and the EU Green Deal. The second is the rise of geo-economics, which places the interests of countries and regional blocks at the forefront, increasing the need for mitigating policies such as economic security. The third is the growing interaction between defence policy and economic policy, with military security influencing economic decisions and the defence sector growing in importance in the EU economy. This briefing argues that these combined trends are transforming the EU's economic policy and economy, and that the growing prominence of security as a guiding principle of economic and trade policies is bringing the question of EU strategic autonomy back to the centre of EU policy. Although the increasing importance of economic and defence security appears to be mutually reinforcing, with both trends potentially enhancing EU strategic autonomy, synergy between them is not a given. The raw materials and finances needed to reinforce the EU defence industrial base require a strong and open economy. However, concerns about foreign influence require economic decoupling from certain countries (e.g. Russia) and de-risking from others (e.g. China). Moreover, the EU faces unexpectedly difficult choices in its relations with the United States (US), where its dependence on US support in defence and security reduces its capacity to act independently as an economic player and rule-maker. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This paper examines the persistent upward bias in euro area households’ inflation perceptions and expectations, even when realized inflation is near the ECB’s target. It discusses behavioural and informational drivers of this bias, its implications for consumption, wage setting, and monetary policy transmission, and the challenges it poses for ECB communication and credibility. The study concludes that improved monitoring and household-oriented communication are essential. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 26 February 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study, undertaken by Ecocentric, evaluates Malta’s implementation of EU Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise. It evaluates the reasons for the several complaints about noise pollution in Malta and provides suggestions to overcome these. The study has been commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee of Petitions and managed by the Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Investment Bank (EIB), part of the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) - which also includes the European Investment Fund, plays a central role in advancing the European Union’s investment agenda, combining substantial financing capacity with close strategic alignment to EU policy objectives. In 2025, the EIB Group achieved record levels of financing (EUR 100 billion of new financing), with particularly strong performance in climate action, energy security and economic, social and territorial cohesion. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Makis Keravnos, Minister for Finance of Cyprus, is participating in the ECON Committee in his capacity of President of the ECOFIN Council during the Cyprus Presidency (January - June 2026). According to Article 121 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, “Member States shall regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and shall coordinate them within the Council”. This document provides an overview of the Cyprus Presidency's priorities in ECON matters, including the Council’s work relating to the implementation of the European Semester for economic coordination, the application of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other policy streams relevant to the EU single market, notably progress on the Savings and Investments Union. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The EU’s Eastern Partnership policy, established in 2009, links the EU with six post-Soviet states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The policy supports political, social and economic reforms in these countries to strengthen democracy and good governance, energy security, environmental protection and economic and social development. Moldova and Ukraine have made the most progress, having been granted EU candidate country status in 2022. This was followed by the European Council’s decision on 14 December 2023 to open accession negotiations with them. On 24 and 25 June 2024 the EU held the first Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level to officially open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, but the formal opening of negotiating clusters is still pending as of January 2026. Belarus, by contrast, remains under authoritarian rule and faces EU sanctions for human rights violations and support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This paper analyses divergences between actual, perceived and expected inflation in the euro area over the 2020-25 period. It identifies substantial inertia in both inflation perceptions and expectations, leading to cyclical biases over the inflation cycle. The analysis shows that expectations are more stable and more closely associated with economic decision-relevant beliefs than perceptions. These dynamics are linked to wage adjustment patterns and the distributional effects of inflation, while trust in the ECB remained broadly stable throughout the period. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 26 February 2026. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has been President of the Russian Federation since 31 December 1999, except for a brief four-year interlude from 2008 to 2012 during which he held the office of prime minister but effectively maintained his political authority. During Putin's 26-year rule, Russia has been at war, overtly or covertly, for 21 years. Putin's first term coincided with the launching of the Second Chechen War, intended to be brief but which lasted for 10 violent years. In 2014, during Putin's third term, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, and the initially covert support to the separatist forces in eastern Ukraine gradually became overt, leading up to the full-scale invasion of February 2022. Overlapping with these two armed conflicts, the Russo-Georgian War took place in 2008, and since 2015 Russia has deployed military forces in Syria. Russian paramilitary groups have also expanded operations in Africa. The transformation of Russia over these 26 years has been fundamental. A series of indicators can help measure its economic evolution, the surge in military expenditure, its demographic decline, the worsening of various freedom and governance rankings, and growing inequality. In a shift towards the east, China has become, by far, Russia's main trading partner, providing it with a crucial economic and diplomatic lifeline since 2022. Putin, now 73 years old, was proclaimed President of the Russian Federation for his fifth term in 2024, after obtaining over 88 % of the votes in what was broadly seen as yet another ritual electoral performance. In line with the constitutional reforms introduced in 2020, he can remain in power until 2036. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Minors — under the age of 18 — may migrate in many different ways, through family reunification, moving in the hope of finding a better life, or through forced and traumatic migration caused by conflict, poverty or climate change. Overall, the number of minors in migration has been rising globally since the turn of the century. In 2020, there were an estimated 35.5 million international migrant minors globally, the largest number ever recorded. This is equivalent to around 1 in 66 minors worldwide living outside their country of birth. This infographic focuses exclusively on forced and irregular movements of migrant minors to the European Union. Eurostat figures show that, on 1 January 2024 around 7.5 million minors in the EU were not citizens of their country of residence. However, age assessment of migrants remains a critical challenge, as a significant number arrive without reliable identification documents to verify their claimed age. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean are multifaceted and conducted at different levels. Guided by the New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, the EU seeks to strengthen and modernise the bi-regional strategic partnership. The EU interacts with the entire region through summits with the heads of state and government and through parliamentary diplomacy, while agreements and political dialogue bind the EU and the Caribbean, Central America, the Andean Community, Mercosur and individual countries. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

With Member States responsible for their own policies for the cultural sector, the EU’s action is aimed at supplementing and supporting them, with a focus on the preservation of European cultural heritage, cooperation between various countries’ cultural institutions and the promotion of mobility among creative workers. The cultural sector is also affected by provisions of the Treaties that do not explicitly pertain to culture. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Brain health depends on genetic, lifestyle, environmental and social determinants, and its decline reduces independence and quality of life, requiring a coordinated EU‑level response. Neurological diseases are one of Europe’s most urgent and rapidly expanding health, social and economic challenges. As the population ages, neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), Parkinson’s disease and ALS, will rise sharply, increasing pressure on healthcare systems, social support structures and informal caregivers. The overall economic burden of these neurological disorders in Europe was estimated at EUR 368 billion per year in 2019. More than half of these costs are attributable to informal care, reflecting the significant responsibilities placed on families and communities. An ambitious coordinated, European health plan dedicated to neurological health linking prevention, early diagnosis, research, innovation to enable effective therapies, care and social support is essential to mitigate the growing impact of neurodegenerative diseases and strengthen Europe’s long‑term resilience and well‑being. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Towns and cities are home to nearly three quarters of the EU's population. Many EU cities and urban areas are vibrant spaces of economic growth and innovation. However, they also face complex challenges, such as tackling inequalities, addressing housing and demographic issues, building inclusive societies and responding to climate change and environmental degradation. Cities are at the forefront of implementing EU legislation in several policy areas, including cohesion, and have been demanding both a stronger role in shaping these policies and greater access to EU financial resources. The EU's cohesion policy has a strong urban dimension. Its role in supporting sustainable urban development was strengthened in the current 2021 2027 programming period to help cities play an active part in shaping and implementing policy responses to their own challenges. Cohesion funds invest more than €100 billion in towns and cities. For their part, cities are directly responsible for designing and implementing investments worth over €24 billion under cohesion policy programmes. The 2016 Urban Agenda for the EU and the launch of participatory partnerships have created new expectations about the role of urban authorities in EU decision-making. The Pact of Amsterdam provided for urban partnerships focusing on key themes, such as air quality, urban poverty and housing. However, progress in empowering cities within cohesion policy has been limited. Stakeholders evaluating the progress of the Urban Agenda for the EU have highlighted issues such as insufficient EU resources channelled into urban issues, obstacles in obtaining direct EU funding, a lack of effective long-term urban governance mechanisms and limited input from urban areas into EU policies. On 3 December 2025, the European Commission launched the EU agenda for cities to support cities in delivering on Europe's green, digital and social priorities. This new framework recognises the importance of cities in many policy areas and provides a set of instruments to involve them in EU policymaking. The current briefing is an update of a previous briefing on the new urban policy agenda for the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Over the years, the EU has provided funding support for various initiatives related to skills, education, training, youth, volunteering, and sport through multiple programmes. In the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF), key funding programmes included Erasmus+, the EU's flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport, and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), the programme for young people to engage in solidarity activities. According to the European Commission, the proposal for the 2028-2034 MFF aims to simplify and streamline the EU's funding tools, by consolidating programmes and achieving greater impact with a more efficient MFF. On 16 July 2025, as part of a package of legislative proposals to govern programmes under the 2028-2034 MFF, the European Commission proposed a regulation establishing the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme. The new programme would succeed the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ and ESC programmes, with an indicative budget of €36.2 billion in 2025 prices (€40.8 billion in current prices). The new Erasmus+ programme would cover action on education and training, youth, and sport and integrate the opportunities currently offered by the ESC, including the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps. Aligned with existing policy provisions, it would provide a comprehensive tool to promote high-quality lifelong learning, and develop life and employability skills and key competences for all, while fostering Union values, democratic and societal participation, solidarity, social inclusion, and equal opportunities. The programme would also enhance cooperation on youth policy and further develop the European dimension in sport. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

EU funding for culture, media, education, youth and sport in 2021–27 is wide-ranging, yet instruments directly focused on these areas (Erasmus+, Creative Europe and CERV) represent under 3% of the MFF. Most support comes from broader programmes such as ESF+ and Horizon. Erasmus+, ESC, Creative Europe and CERV show clear EU added value. Implementing simplification and synergies remain key items on the agenda. For 2028–2034, the Commission is proposing consolidated instruments such as Erasmus+ and AgoraEU. Compared to the previous programming period the budget increases, though increased thematic coverage and recent inflation reduce the impact. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The February 2026 plenary session saw two key votes: on the Ukraine Support Loan, reaffirming the EU's continued financial support for Ukraine; and on the EU-Mercosur agreement safeguard clause, underlining the importance of protecting European interests. Members debated several Commission and Council statements, including on the European response to extreme weather events, particularly in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece; building a stronger European defence in an increasingly volatile international environment; as well as urgent action to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the single market and reduce the cost of living, following up on the Draghi report. Debates also covered the rule of law, fundamental rights and the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, and Spain's large-scale regularisation policy and its impact on the Schengen Area and EU migration policy. Further debates concerned the presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying, the International Day of Education and the fight against inequalities in access to education, as well as the need to tackle economic inequalities within the EU and globally. Members also adopted a Parliament statement to mark World Cancer Day. Parliament held several debates on external relations, in particular on the European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the resulting humanitarian crisis; the situation in north-east Syria, including violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire; the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and achieve lasting peace; and the violence in the Great Lakes Region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, Members heard a formal address by Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Transatlantic relations since early 2025 have been marked by rising tension and uncertainty regarding the reliability of the United States as an ally. Policy clashes are expected across multiple domains, including NATO, Greenland, Ukraine, trade, technology, climate, and relations with China, underscoring a fundamental divergence in the US and European outlooks and objectives. While the US under the Trump Administration increasingly prioritizes Asia and presses Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defence, Europe is debating how to respond to diminished American security guarantees and the likelihood of assertive US demands for policy concessions. This era could see the alliance seriously weakened – or irreparably changed – as mutual confidence erodes and both sides brace for repeated confrontation on core issues. Yet underlying interests – mutual security, innovation, infrastructure development, and economic resilience – still foster opportunities for cooperation if both sides sustain dialogue, manage disputes, and reaffirm shared commitments. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Current corporate tax systems in many EU Member States tend to favour debt over equity, influencing firms' financing decisions. In this context, the tax treatment of equity is a key factor shaping incentives for long-term investment. On 24 February 2026, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will host a public hearing on this topic. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Fighting harmful gender stereotypes has become part of recent EU measures to promote gender equality. The European Parliament has repeatedly called on the European Commission and Member States to act. Survey data show that most EU citizens reject harmful gender stereotypes, despite significant disparities among Member States. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The free movement of goods, services, capital and people across borders is growing continuously. In response, the European Union is enhancing judicial cooperation in civil law matters with cross-border implications, effectively building bridges between diverse legal systems. The EU’s key goals are to ensure legal certainty and easy and effective access to justice. This involves clearly identifying the competent jurisdiction, determining the applicable law and streamlining the procedures for recognition and enforcement of judgments. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the EU’s financing institution, owned by the Member States. It provides loans, guarantees and advice to support projects that promote EU objectives, such as tackling climate change, developing less prosperous regions, supporting small businesses and building infrastructure. The EIB raises most of its funding by borrowing on international capital markets and lends primarily within the EU, although it also supports projects in partner countries. Together with the European Investment Fund, which focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises, it forms the EIB Group. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The multiannual financial framework (MFF) is the EU’s long-term spending plan. There have been six MFFs to date, including 2021-2027. The Treaty of Lisbon transformed the MFF from an interinstitutional agreement into a regulation. Established for a period of at least five years, an MFF is there to ensure that the EU’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources. It sets out provisions with which the annual budget of the EU must comply. The MFF Regulation sets expenditure ceilings for broad categories of spending called headings. After its initial proposals of 2 May 2018 and following the COVID-19 outbreak, on 27 May 2020 the Commission proposed a recovery plan (NextGenerationEU) that included revised proposals for the MFF 2021-2027 and own resources, and the setting up of a recovery instrument worth EUR 750 billion (in 2018 prices). The package was adopted on 16 December 2020 following interinstitutional negotiations. In the light of new developments, the MFF was revised in December 2022 and then again more substantially in February 2024. The European Commission presented its proposals for the 2028-2034 MFF on 16 July 2025. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

EU cooperation with African countries and the African Union (AU) is based on two distinct frameworks: namely (a) the Joint Africa-EU strategy and (b) the Partnership Agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.The legal basis for the political, economic and development aspects of the partnership between the EU and the ACP states was established by the Cotonou Agreement in 2000. This was replaced, on 15 November 2023, by the Samoa Agreement, which was negotiated to modernise and upgrade the partnership.The Joint Africa-EU strategy has been implemented through multiannual roadmaps and action plans adopted at each EU-AU summit, which traditionally takes place every three years. At the EU-AU summit held in February 2022 in Brussels, EU and AU leaders agreed on ‘A Joint Vision for 2030’, which aims to consolidate a renewed partnership based on solidarity, security, peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity. The third EU-AU ministerial meeting took place on 21 May 2025, with the participation of the new AU leadership. This meeting reviewed progress on the Joint Vision for 2030, and paved the way for the seventh EU-AU summit, which took place in Luanda, Angola from 24 to 25 November 2025, marking 25 years of the partnership since the Cairo summit in 2000. The EU Political and Security Committee and the AU Peace and Security Council held their 16th consultative meeting in Brussels from 8 to 9 October 2025.The EU is Africa’s most significant donor of official development assistance. This is mainly funded by the EU’s general budget through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In order to ensure the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union, a robust framework is needed to prevent unsustainable public finances as far as possible. A reform (part of the ‘Six Pack’) amending the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) entered into force at the end of 2011. Another reform in this policy area, the intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG), including the Fiscal Compact, entered into force in early 2013. Furthermore, a regulation on assessing national draft budgetary plans (part of the ‘Two Pack’) entered into force in May 2013. On 30 April 2024, a reformed economic governance framework entered into force. After the review, in October 2025 the Commission tabled new proposals to ensure the consistency of the framework as a whole. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 29 November 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive amending Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements, to improve protection for travellers and simplify and clarify certain aspects of the current directive. The Commission announced in a 2020 communication on a new consumer agenda that it would look into revising the directive following the turmoil caused by the mass cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal is the result of two years of stakeholder consultations and a reassessment of the current rules. The main changes focus on securing travellers' rights and improving insolvency protection. Other key changes include extending the directive's scope to lay down rules on contracts between package organisers and service providers. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). The Council adopted its negotiating mandate on 18 December 2024. IMCO adopted its report on 26 June 2025. A political deal was reached at the second trilogue on 2 December 2025. This agreement was endorsed by the Council's permanent representatives committee (Coreper) on 19 December 2025 and confirmed by IMCO on 27 January 2026. Work is ongoing to finalise the text of the act before it is adopted, first by Parliament and then by the Council. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Intellectual property includes all exclusive rights to intellectual creations. It encompasses two types of rights: industrial property, which includes inventions (patents), trademarks, industrial designs and models and designations of origin, and copyright, which includes artistic and literary property. Since the entry into force of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in 2009, the EU has had explicit competence for intellectual property rights (Article 118). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP