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Σάββατο 8 Νοεμβρίου 2025

EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

 
● Council of the EU
 
05/11/2025 16:48 | Press release |

Council agrees position to simplify requirements for chemical products

 

Today, the Council set its position on the remaining part of the so-called “Omnibus VI” package, a proposal to simplify rules in the field of chemical products, while maintaining a high level of protection for consumers and the environment.  The draft legislation simplifies certain provisions related to the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics products and fertilising products.

“The chemical industry is key for innovation, jobs and sustainable growth in Europe. Today, we took a first step towards reducing administrative burdens and increasing resilience for the industry, while protecting consumers and the environment. I hope for a swift agreement with the Parliament to bring legal certainty to businesses and boost the sector’s competitiveness.”

— Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark

“With today’s negotiating mandate, we are ensuring that consumers remain protected while simplifying the rules for businesses. Strong consumer protection is at the heart of responsible regulation, and Denmark will continue to work for high standards in the upcoming negotiations on simplifying EU regulation. Simplification must never come at the expense of consumers’ health.”

— Magnus Heunicke, Minister for environment and gender equality of Denmark

The Council’s mandate follows the agreement between the co-legislators on the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism which postpones to 1 January 2028 the date of entry into application of the revised regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP regulation). The current targeted proposal modifies three pieces of EU’s chemical legislation:

  • the CLP regulation, which was revised in 2024
  • the 2009 cosmetic products regulation, and
  • the 2019 fertilising products regulation

In view of its significant implications for suppliers and European companies, the Council has treated this proposal with utmost priority aiming to provide the EU companies the necessary legal certainty on their obligations.

Key elements of the Council’s mandate

The Council maintained the general scope of the Commission proposal when it comes to simplifying the formatting requirements for labels, advertisements and distance sales of chemicals. The Council’s mandate retains the "digital by default" approach as a common element of simplification.  The Council consistently focused on removing duplication of requirements and streamlining the timelines. The text of the Council’s mandate is more protective to consumers concerning the use of nanomaterials and potential hazardous substances in cosmetic products. On fertiliser products, it requires registration of micro-organisms used in fertilising products for up to 10 tonnes annual quantities.

CLP regulation 

In the Council’s mandate, the text aligns the definition of ‘digital contacts’ with the Council mandate on the proposals in the ‘Omnibus IV’ package on digitalisation and common specifications. The mandate, however, reintroduces the requirement for a telephone number but allows for digital options to provide flexibility for suppliers. The text of the Council’s mandate clarifies and simplifies the requirement of readability of labels, while ensuring appropriate font size relative to the size of the label.

The mandate also seeks to reduce the information requirements for advertisements, particularly for professional users. On distance sales offers, the mandate maintains the general labelling exemption for business-to-business sales, except for online sales, where the exemption only applies if the website or mobile application is not accessible to the general public.

Cosmetic products regulation

The time given to companies to stop selling cosmetics with Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, and Reprotoxic (CMR) substances has been shortened from the original Commission proposal but is still longer than the deadlines in the current rules. The Commission proposal on the exemption of CMR substances based on oral or inhalation route of exposure is deleted in the Council’s mandate. Finally, in response to the member states’ concerns regarding the protection of human health and the environment, the mandate re-introduces a notification for nanomaterials in cosmetic products, which shall be made prior to the cosmetic product being placed on the market, and not six months prior as today.

Fertilising products regulation

To address the member states’ concerns on potential environmental risks from new micro-organisms, the mandate further clarifies the role of accredited notified bodies. For assessing criteria and methodologies, the inclusion of scientific bodies, either the Joint Research Centre (JRC) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), has been added. The mandate also re-introduces a REACH registration obligation for substances subject to harmonised classification for certain particularly harmful substances. Finally, on digitalisation, the text seeks to align the definition with the Council’s mandate for the ‘Omnibus IV’ package.

Next steps

Following today’s approval by the member states’ representatives, the presidency can start negotiation with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement.

Background

In October 2024, the European Council called on all EU institutions, member states and stakeholders, as a matter of priority, to take work forward, notably in response to the challenges identified in the reports by Enrico Letta (‘Much more than a market’) and Mario Draghi (‘The future of European competitiveness’).

The Budapest declaration of 8 November 2024 subsequently called for ‘launching a simplification revolution’, by ensuring a clear, simple and smart regulatory framework for businesses and drastically reducing administrative, regulatory and reporting burdens, in particular for SMEs.

Between 26 February and 9 July 2025, as a follow-up to EU leaders’ call, the Commission put forward six ‘Omnibus’ packages, aiming to simplify existing legislation on sustainability, investment, agriculture, small and mid-caps, digitalisation and common specifications, defence readiness and chemical products.

 

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● Council of the EU
 
05/11/2025 14:19 | Meetings |

Main results - Environment Council, 4 November 2025

 

Ministers reached an agreement on the amendment to the European climate law, which establishes an intermediate net emissions reduction target of 90% for 2040. At the same meeting, environment ministers approved the EU's post-2030 nationally determined contribution (NDC), with an indicative 2035 target of 66,25-72,5% emissions reduction.

 

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05/11/2025 14:10 | Press release |

2040 climate target: Council agrees its position on a 90% emissions reduction

 

Today, the Council has reached an agreement on amending the European climate law (ECL), introducing a binding intermediate climate target for 2040 of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, compared to 1990 levels. This new target is a crucial step towards the EU’s long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The amendment also sets out some areas of flexibility and key elements for the 2040 target and for the post-2030 climate framework. These will steer the Commission’s future legislative proposals to enable member states to hit the 2040 target while supporting European industry and citizens throughout the transition.

“Today, we have adopted a 90 percent climate target for 2040 with broad support from the member states. The target is rooted in science and at the same time, it combines our competitiveness and security. This is important for the future of Europe – and it shows that even in challenging times, we can stand united. The target sets a clear direction years ahead for our policies, industries and investments. With this in hand, we are ready to build a stronger, more competitive and secure EU.”

— Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and utilities

The text agreed today sets out the Council’s position for the upcoming negotiations (‘trilogues’) with the European Parliament that will shape the final text of the legislation.

Main changes agreed by the Council

The Council has maintained the binding 90% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2040 proposed by the Commission. However, it has made some adjustments to reflect concerns about the EU’s competitiveness, the need for a just and socially balanced transition, uncertainty related to natural removals and the diverse national circumstances across member states. These changes were also informed by the strategic guidance provided by EU leaders in the European Council conclusions adopted on 23 October 2025.

Scope for flexibility for the member states

The Commission’s proposal included three flexibility options, to be appropriately reflected in future Commission legislative proposals for achieving the 2040 target. The Council further clarified these areas of flexibility, which include:

  • the possibility to use high-quality international carbon credits to make an ‘adequate contribution’ towards the 2040 target, quantified as up to 5% of 1990 EU net emissions, from 2036 onwards, including a pilot period for the period 2031-2035
  • a role for domestic permanent carbon removals under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to compensate for residual hard-to-abate emissions
  • enhanced flexibility within and across sectors and instruments to support the attainment of targets in simple and cost-effective ways, allowing member states to address shortfalls in one sector without compromising overall progress

Elements for the post-2030 framework

The amendment to the European climate law proposed by the Commission also establishes a series of principles and conditions that the must be taken into account in developing the post-2030 policy framework to enable member states to achieve the 2040 target and to ensure a fair, cost-effective and socially balanced transition that drives investment. While the Council’s position maintains many of the elements included in the Commission’s proposal, it further develops them, including by:

  • placing a greater focus on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU’s economy and industry, as well as on simplification and reduction of administrative burden
  • clearly emphasising the need for a just transition and taking into account different national circumstances
  • fostering innovation and the deployment of safe, scalable technologies across all sectors in a technologically neutral manner, while ensuring that energy efficiency remains a central principle
  • enhancing support for energy security, focusing on renewable energy solutions, energy affordability and grid modernisation to secure the EU’s energy supply
  • supporting investment and innovation, through both public and private sector funding and ensuring access to innovative technologies across member states
  • addressing the realistic contribution of carbon removals to overall emission reductions, while accounting for the uncertainty associated with them
  • focusing on the long-term protection and enhancement of natural carbon sinks and biodiversity, addressing the impacts of climate change and natural disturbances on land use and forestry

Review of the target

The Council’s position also introduces a biennial assessment to track progress towards intermediate targets based on the latest scientific evidence, technological advances and the EU’s global competitiveness.

Member states further elaborated and strengthened the review clause of the existing European climate law. Among other things, the review will cover the status of net removals at EU level in relation to what would be required to achieve the 2040 target and the evolving challenges to – and opportunities to improve – EU industries’ global competitiveness. The review will also take into account the evolution of energy prices and their impact on industries and households.

Based on the findings of the review and where appropriate, the Commission will have to propose a revision of the climate law. This may include adjusting the 2040 target or other additional measures to strengthen the enabling framework, namely to secure the EU’s competitiveness, prosperity and social cohesion.

ETS2 postponement

The Council also introduced a provision to postpone the entry into application of the EU emissions trading system for buildings and road transport (ETS2) by one year, from 2027 to 2028.

Next steps

The Council presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter adopts its position, with a view to agreeing on the final text of the amendment.

Background

First adopted in 2021, the European climate law provides the legal foundation for the EU’s long-term climate policies, in line with the Paris Agreement. It sets a binding economy-wide climate neutrality target by 2050 and a 2030 objective of reducing net emissions by at least 55%. It also provides for the establishment of an intermediate climate target for 2040.

After publishing the communication 'Europe's 2040 climate target' in February 2024, the European Commission put forward a proposal on 2 July 2025 to amend the European climate law to set a 2040 target.

More recently, in October 2025 the European Council provided strategic guidance on the way forward to establish a target for 2040. In particular, leaders emphasised the need for a balanced approach that would preserve and boost the EU’s competitiveness, while ensuring the social fairness of the transition. They also emphasised the need to take into account the uncertainties of natural removals. The European Council additionally called on the Commission to further develop the necessary enabling conditions to support European industry and citizens in achieving the 2040 target.

 

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05/11/2025 13:17 | Press release |

Paris Agreement: the EU submits its updated NDC with an indicative target for 2035 to the UN ahead of COP30

 

The Council today approved an updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU and its member states, which will be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of COP30 (10-21 November 2025). Following the 2020 NDC and its 2023 update, today's NDC covers the period up to 2035.

The NDC agreed today reiterates the EU's goal of achieving a net reduction of 55% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and acknowledges the agreement reached within the Council on a net emissions reduction target of 90% by 2040, compared to 1990. Based on this target, the NDC introduces an indicative contribution of 66.25% to 72.5% for 2035 on the path towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

The updated NDC builds on previous commitments, aiming to accelerate the transition to a decarbonised economy and industry, and outlines the EU's ongoing efforts to achieve climate neutrality in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

“With the adoption of EU’s NDC, we are sending a strong signal ahead of COP30 that we remain fully committed to keeping the goals of the Paris Agreement. It enables us to push for more global climate action, when we meet the rest of the world at COP30.”

— Lars Aagaard, Denmark's minister for climate, energy and utilities

Main elements of the EU's 2035 NDC

In the updated NDC, the EU outlines its ambitious climate targets and the policy frameworks that is implementing in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It recalls the agreement reached within the Council on a 2040 climate target of 90%, including an adequate contribution of high-quality international credits in a manner that is both ambitious and cost-efficient.

The NDC also highlights the EU's continued progress in its climate action towards decarbonising its economy and its contribution to the global efforts agreed in the outcome of the first global stocktake (GST) at COP28 in Dubai. These include the commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the rate of global energy efficiency by 2030. The updated NDC underlines the EU's efforts in this regard, which resulted in renewable energy sources making up 44% of the EU's electricity production in 2023, with that figure increasing to 47% in the estimates for 2024.

In addition, the new NDC emphasises the EU's accelerating efforts towards making the energy sector predominantly free of fossil fuels well ahead of 2050, while recognising the importance of phasing out unabated fossil fuels at global level. To that end, the EU acknowledges the need to use all the available technologies to reduce emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.

The updated NDC also includes the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU), outlining all the elements of the NDC.

Next steps

The updated NDC will be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat and will feed into an updated NDC synthesis report, building on the first version issued by the Secretariat on 28 October. The report will provide an overview of global emission reduction commitments and gaps in relation to the Paris Agreement goals.

Background

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are an integral part of the Paris Agreement, which requires all parties to communicate their post-2020 climate actions starting in 2020 and every five years thereafter. NDCs set out each party's efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change. The EU submits a single NDC on behalf of the EU and its member states.

On that basis, the EU and its member states submitted their first NDC in 2015 as an intended NDC, and an updated and enhanced NDC on 17 December 2020. Following the adoption of the Fit for 55 legislative package, in October 2023, the EU submitted a further update reflecting its target of at least 55% of net greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030.

On 18 September 2025, EU environment ministers approved a statement of intent confirming the EU's commitment to the Paris Agreement and indicating that the EU would submit its post-2030 NDC ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil (10–21 November 2025).

 

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