COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 01 July 2026

● Council of the EU   30/06/2026 01:37 | Press release | Council and Parliament strike deal for a stronger European Chemicals Agency   The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on bolstering the management and funding of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The new rules will create a standalone legal framework to help ECHA manage its growing number of duties efficiently. Since its establishment in 2006, ECHA and its scientific committees has been central to implementing the EU’s rules on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) providing technical and scientific assessments and opinions.  ECHA’s responsibilities have expanded to include product safety and environmental policy, including scientific opinions on restricting microplastics and PFAS. “A strong and well-funded European Chemicals Agency is vital for safeguarding our future. This agreement delivers the resources and independence the agency needs to effectively assess and manage chemical risks, including emerging substances such as PFAS. It supports a chemicals policy, where we ensure the system remains clear, workable, and predictable for industry and a high level of protection for people and the environment is maintained.” — Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Unifying ECHA’s expanded mandate The co-legislators agreed to consolidate ECHA’s extended tasks and responsibilities under a single regulation, by decoupling the agency from the 2006 REACH regulation which had initially founded it. This unified and autonomous framework will provide a clear legal basis for ECHA’s operations and facilitate its efficient governance. The new rules outline the specific tasks assigned to ECHA under different EU laws. The agreement allows the European Parliament or member states to request scientific opinions from ECHA, after consulting with the Commission. Strengthening ECHA’s structure ECHA’s structure will be adapted to effectively manage its current and future workload, ensuring it has the necessary resources. To maintain the highest standards of scientific and technical expertise within the EU, the agreement provides for the necessary pool of experts to be nominated by member states and appointed to its risk assessment and socio-economic analysis committees. Simplified budget and reserve fund By unifying budgets (from three to a single and autonomous one), ECHA will have greater flexibility to independently allocate resources to efficiently adapt to changing workloads. Recognising the challenges in accurately predicting income from fees and charges, the agreement establishes a reserve fund capped at 8% of ECHA’s fees and charges in order to address fluctuations in fee revenues and its impact on ECHA’s operations. The Commission may increase or decrease this percentage from 1% to 20%, to better reflect ECHA’s actual financial needs. Safeguarding credibility Co-legislators acknowledged that trust and confidence in ECHA and its opinions and advice is vital. Therefore, they have established clear rules on preventing and managing conflicts of interest for its staff and experts, including members of its internal bodies, in order to ensure its independence and credibility. Next steps The provisional agreement will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for formal adoption. Following adoption, the new regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force 20 days after its publication. Background ECHA plays a central role in implementing REACH and other key legislation related to chemicals, providing independent scientific advice and contributing to the protection of human health and the environment, while promoting innovation and competitiveness. ECHA manages the largest chemicals database in the EU, containing information on nearly 500 000 chemicals, including REACH registration data for more than 25 000 substances. The consolidated rules, also known as the ECHA basic regulation, were proposed by the Commission as part of its action plan for the chemical industry. Timeline – EU Law Tracker Chemicals (background information) Action plan for the chemicals industry   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   30/06/2026 11:30 | Press release | Council and Parliament agree on clarified rules for road tolls and user charges for heavy-duty vehicles   Today, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on targeted amendments to the Eurovignette directive, which sets the framework for road tolls and user charges for heavy-duty vehicles across the European Union. The agreement strengthens legal certainty, simplifies implementation and ensures the consistent application of CO₂-based charging rules in light of the new CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles that will apply from 1 July 2026. “This agreement delivers the legal certainty that transport operators, tolling authorities and service providers need in connection to the expanded application of the new CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles. By clarifying key provisions of the Eurovignette directive, we are ensuring a smoother and more harmonised implementation across the European Union. Over the past six months the Cyprus Presidency has delivered concrete results for Europe’s transport network that is more competitive, more resilient, and more sustainable for the future.” — Alexis Vafeades, Minister of transport, communications and works of the Republic of Cyprus The amendments provide greater clarity for hauliers, national authorities and toll service providers on how the Eurovignette rules should be applied to different vehicle categories and emission classes. This will facilitate a smooth transition to a road charging system that better reflects vehicle emissions while ensuring more harmonised implementation across member states. The new CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles have direct implications for the classification of vehicles under the Eurovignette framework. The agreed amendments provide legal and technical clarifications to ensure the effective interaction of the two legislative frameworks. Main elements of the agreement The provisional agreement: clarifies key definitions related to CO₂ emissions, including zero-emission vehicles, low-emission heavy-duty vehicles, vehicle groups, emission reduction trajectories and reference CO₂ emissions, while preserving the original policy objectives of the directive; allows member states to apply reduced user charges or infrastructure charges for low-emission vehicles, alongside measures supporting the uptake of zero-emission vehicles; clarifies how vocational vehicles, such as garbage collection trucks and construction vehicles, are allocated to the relevant CO₂ emission classes. Trailer-based toll reductions The co-legislators decided not to retain the proposed system of road charge variation for heavy-duty vehicles towing more sustainable trailers. They considered that such a scheme would create additional administrative burdens, increase the complexity of tolling systems, affect the rollout and enforcement of electronic toll services. At the same time, the Commission has been requested to evaluate the persisting obstacles. Next steps The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. Eurovignette: Council clarifies and simplifies EU rules on road tolls and user charges for heavy duty vehicles (press release, 4 March 2026) Timeline (EU law tracker)   Visit the website Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union concludes six-month term with significant results 30/06/2026 | Press release Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union concludes six-month term with significant results The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union concluded today, 30 June 2026, successfully completing its six-month mandate, during which it advanced key legislative and policy priorities across the European Union.   Visit the website   More news about the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the EU Follow us: ● General Secretariat of the Council   01/07/2026 12:13 | Press release | European Parliament, Council and Commission receive Ombudsman award for excellence in open administration for user-friendly EU Law Tracker   On Tuesday 30 June, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission won the category award ‘excellence in open administration’ from the 2026 Ombudsman Award for Good Administration for the EU Law Tracker. The Award celebrates projects by EU institutions, bodies or agencies that uphold and promote a culture of good administration in the EU and have a positive impact on the lives of citizens. The Law Tracker, launched by the three institutions, in cooperation with the Publications Office, is a user-friendly online tool that brings together key legislative information in one place. The tracker enables citizens to follow EU law-making from start to finish through a user-friendly timeline, with direct access to related documents. The Law Tracker demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to transparent, open, and accessible law-making. Since 30 April 2024, the pilot version of the EU Law Tracker has been providing full coverage of ordinary legislative procedures, the main procedure by which EU laws are adopted. It offers a customisable search function, along with real-time updates on new developments and recently published documents. The EU Law Tracker also includes the Joint Declaration Tracker, which tracks the ordinary legislative procedure proposals falling under the 2026 Joint Declaration on Legislative Priorities. Following the new refinements and updates, the tool is now fully operational. The EU Law Tracker reflects the shared commitment of the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission to provide easily accessible information on the progress of EU legislation in all official EU languages. The main goal of the EU Law Tracker is transparency and traceability of laws for the general public. EU law tracker 2026 Joint Declaration on Legislative Priorities 2026 Good Administration Award (press release, European Ombudsman)   Visit the website ● European Council

01/07/2026 14:14 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin   It is a pleasure to be here in Dublin, for the launch of the Irish Presidency of the Council. Let me start by wishing you, Micheál, all the best as Ireland takes on this responsibility.   You have chosen competitiveness, values and security as the three pillars of your Presidency agenda – these fit perfectly with the priorities of the work at Leaders’ level in the European Council.   Starting with competitiveness. In the face of growing external pressures on our prosperity, the European Union has set itself the goal to become both more competitive and more autonomous. Indeed, after having defence as a main focus in 2025, 2026 is the year of European competitiveness.   That is why we have set ourselves an ambitious ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda. Over the next six months, we must deliver on its implementation. And it is hard to think of a better pilot to guide the European Union in this work than Ireland.   As for Europe’s values and Europe’s security – they are being put to the test in a challenging global geopolitical context. But in navigating these difficult waters, the European Union has a clear compass – international law – and a clear map – multilateralism and the rules based international order. That is another reason why Ireland – with its consistent and principled defence of both multilateralism and international law – is the right Presidency at the right time.   These principles and values are what guides the European Union’s unity in support of Ukraine – and we will continue to do whatever it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.   The tide is turning on the battlefield thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian armed forces. And Europe’s support for Ukraine and our unrelenting pressure on Russia have played a crucial role. In fact, over the next six months, under Irish leadership, we will continue pursuing this twin strategy. Because Russia must understand that time is not on its side. And that it must move from the battlefield to the negotiating table.   The same values and principles must guide the European Union’s positions and actions in the Middle East. Long lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy, not violence. And for this we need to move forward along the only path there is towards a long-lasting peace in the region, namely that of the two-state solution: in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions; where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace; within secure and recognised borders. One word on enlargement: as this will be an area where the Irish Presidency will play a crucial role. Our Irish friends can build on the new momentum and on a growing awareness among member states that enlargement in the EU’s best geopolitical investment. We need to advance on all fronts working harder and faster with all candidates.   But I would underline the case of Montenegro. I think it is possible to finalise the accession negotiations with Montenegro before the end of the Irish Presidency. No pressure!   Micheál, I left what is perhaps our main common challenge to last: the next Multiannual Financial Framework.   We need to reach an agreement on our next long-term budget, by the end of this year. Not just any budget, but one that has the resources it needs to deliver on what our citizens expect from us.   Building on the progress achieved in recent months, we can count on the Irish Presidency to keep up the momentum in the negotiations. And present a revised negotiating box in October, including ambitious proposals for new own resources. That is the only way to close the gap between our level of ambition and a reasonable level of national contributions.   Will this be easy? No. But important achievements are never easy. Working together I am convinced that we can deliver.   Dear Micheál, the motto of your Presidency is strength with unity. In the next six months, I look forward to working closely with you for a stronger, even more united Europe.   Thank you, and best wishes for a successful Irish Presidency.   Visit the website

● European Council   01/07/2026 15:44 | Speech | Speech by President António Costa at the opening ceremony of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union   Dear Taoiseach, dear Micheál, Dear President Zelenskyy,   It is a pleasure to join you here in Dublin to mark the beginning of Ireland’s presidency of the Council. Over the next six months, Ireland will be the steward of the Council agenda, working on behalf of 450 million European citizens. Your presidency motto is crystal clear: “strength with unity". Now, it is time to bring the wisdom and positivity gained through Ireland's journey in the European Union to help guide Europe through this challenging global geopolitical juncture. Values, competitiveness, and security are the three pillars of your presidency agenda. They are also key priorities for our Union. First, values. Our Union is a union of values. Peace, democracy, solidarity, and security are in our DNA. Now more than ever, the European Union needs to defend those values within Europe and globally. I applaud your commitment to strengthening the European Union’s role as a principled global actor, and your firm support for the United Nations, multilateralism and the respect for international law. These are principles are at the core of that we must continue to defend more than ever, and Ireland has consistently been at the forefront of that effort. They must guide our work for peace and security in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and across the wider Middle East. And of course, they must also remain at the heart of efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy's presence here today is a powerful reminder that our commitment remains unbreakable. But our vision goes beyond the war, because Ukraine’s future is in the European Union. The recent formal opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova shows our commitment to enlargement is our best investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity in Europe. We opened the negotiations on the first cluster and we wish to open all the other clusters as soon as possible. We must build on this renewed momentum in the accession process and work together to achieve substantial progress in negotiations with all candidate countries during the Irish presidency. Second, competitiveness. In response to growing external pressures on our competitiveness and prosperity, European Union Leaders designated 2026 as the year of competitiveness. The ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda, and the roadmapagreed by the Council with the European Commission and the European Parliament, set out an ambitious timeline to achieve decisive progress in 2026 and 2027. An agenda which involves completing the single market, pursuing the strategy of simplification, ensuring affordable energy, supporting innovation and reducing strategic dependencies. And, above all, completing what has been in the pipeline since 1992: a capital markets union, a unified energy market and a unified telecommunications market. That will boost Europe’s economic growth, secure our digital transformation and strengthen our economic and industrial resilience. Third, security. Security has a defence dimension and strengthening Europe’s security and defence remains high on the agenda as we work to implement the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030. This is crucial for the European Union’s credibility, influence and power in a volatile and complex world. But our security also has an economic dimension. That is why we are strengthening our economy while protecting our European social model. A social model built on inclusion, human dignity, and solidarity to address one of our citizens' greatest concerns: access to affordable housing. That is why I placed the housing crisis on the agenda of the European Council last October. That is why the Commission presented a strategy for affordable housing. And that is why housing will be a key focus of the Irish presidency. Thank you Micheál. We must tackle this multi-layered crisis together, and your leadership will be crucial to making progress. Last but not least, all our ambitions must be supported by appropriate financial foundations – so the Multiannual Financial Framework will be a key priority and deliverable of the Irish presidency. We have a shared responsibility to have our next long-term budget up and running at the beginning of 2028. To make that possible, we need an overall agreement by the end of this year. That is the only way for funds to continue flowing uninterrupted to our citizens, to our companies, to our farmers. We need to ensure that the European Union has the resources it needs to deliver on what our citizens expect from us: a more competitive, more innovative, more cohesive, more autonomous, safer and more secure Europe. And Ireland has a decisive role to play. Ireland’s European experience puts you in the right position to be an honest broker in these negotiations. It will be challenging, but I am confident we will reach a deal until the end of this year – and we will be counting on the Irish humour and charm to see us through. I would like to conclude with the words of your Taoiseach Jack Lynch in 1972, during the referendum on Ireland joining the European Union, and his hopes that it would lead to a better Ireland in a better Europe:   “The road we take will determine not only the future of our country for generations to come, but also the contribution we make to the creation of a Europe that will measure up to the high ideals of the founders” of our European project. Ireland’s European journey is a success story. I am convinced that your presidency will not just show that Ireland is at the heart of Europe. It will demonstrate that Ireland is a decisive actor in building a better and stronger Europe. I am looking forward to working closely with you, dear Micheál, and with your government, to deliver on an ambitious shared agenda. Thank you, and my best wishes to all of you for a successful Irish presidency.   Visit the website