COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Library blog Tuesday, 01 September 2026

● General Secretariat of the Council   Library guide on the Energy Transition   Europe's energy system is undergoing a major transformation. The move towards renewable energy is changing how we produce, use and distribute energy, and energy security and affordability remain key challenges. Explore the Council Library's selection of resources on the EU energy transition.   Read full post ● Council of the EU   03/09/2026 12:52 | Press release | EU customs: Council greenlights landmark reform   The Council today gave its final approval for an ambitious overhaul of the EU customs framework – the most comprehensive reform of its kind in decades. The updated legislation gives the Union a more modern toolbox and innovative new instruments to better facilitate global trade, especially in e-commerce, collect customs duties more efficiently and tighten controls on non-compliant, dangerous or unsafe goods. Managing the rise of e-commerce The updated union customs code clarifies that non-EU e-commerce platforms will be considered the goods’ importer when selling into the EU and are therefore responsible for ensuring that all customs formalities and duty payments are handled, rather than the final EU consumer. The legislation also features a new system of penalties for e-commerce operators that fail to fulfil their customs obligations, such as making sure that EU standards are upheld and appropriate duty paid. The most serious cases of non-compliance may incur fines of up to 6% of the company’s annual import value of goods in the preceding year, the removal of certain customs privileges and even access restrictions to online platforms. Finally, to help cover rising costs from monitoring the growing number of small parcels entering the EU via e-commerce, an EU-wide handling fee on small parcels will be introduced by 1 November 2026. The Commission will set the level of the fee before it starts being applied by EU member states. The handling fee is separate from the earlier Council decision to remove the historical customs duty exemption for imports valued at less than €150. The EU customs authority The text establishes a new decentralised EU agency for customs to coordinate governance of the customs union. Specifically, the EU customs authority will analyse the constantly updated import and export data contained in a new, state-of-the-art, EU customs data hub - one central platform for importers and exporters to interact with customs in the EU. This will help member states to identify the riskiest cargo that should be prioritised for inspection. The authority will also help establish priority control areas and risk criteria, and coordinate EU-level crisis management for customs. It will be located in Lille, France and begin operations in 2027. Support for the most reliable traders The new legislation creates a new category of the most transparent businesses – trust and check traders. Under this scheme, companies providing comprehensive information on the movement and compliance of their goods, along with other stringent criteria, will enjoy simplified customs procedures, saving them time and money. The most reliable companies will be able to release their goods into circulation in the EU without any active customs intervention at all. Next steps  The European Parliament is expected to approve the final text later in September, ahead of its signature and publication in the EU’s official journal. Use of the new data hub to record imports to and exports from the EU will become mandatory for e-commerce businesses on 1 July 2028 and for all traders from 1 March 2034. Background For over 50 years, the EU customs union has been operating efficiently across national borders, managed by national customs offices working together. As one of the world's largest trading blocs, the EU customs union manages trade worth over €4.3 trillion, accounting for around 14% of global trade. In 2025, 2,200 customs offices and 84,000 customs officials collected almost €31 billion in customs duties and managed the import, export and transit of around 6 billion e-commerce parcels and more than 1.5 billion items in traditional trade. Over 90% of e-commerce parcels arrived in the EU from China. Position of the Council at first reading on the UCC and the EU Customs Authority EU customs: Council and Parliament agree on landmark reform (press release, 26 March 2026) Lille to host the new EU customs authority (press release, 25 March 2026) Customs: Council takes action to tackle the influx of small parcels (press release, 13 November 2025) EU customs reform (background information) The EU customs union (background information) Customs reform on the EU law tracker   Visit the website ● European Council   03/09/2026 10:52 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by President Costa following the meeting with President of Romania, Nicușor Dan   Dear President, dear Nicușor. Let me begin by thanking you for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to be here today. Listening to each leader in their own capital is of great importance, as it will help us prepare the ground and advance our European Council work later this year. The months ahead will be crucial for our Union. We will soon have to take a major decision on the future of our long-term European budget, a decision that will shape our priorities and our capacity to deliver in the years to come. We need to reach an agreement by the end of this year.  For the European Union to deliver on its priorities, we need a budget that is fit for purpose. We are operating in a fundamentally different geopolitical context from the one we faced when we approved the current budget in 2020. This new reality calls for a new approach to our budget, with a new structure and a new way of allocating our resources. We must ensure that the next long-term budget enables Europe to strengthen its defence and security, boost competitiveness and innovation, and build greater strategic resilience. At the same time, our future budget must continue to underpin the cohesion and agricultural policies that contribute directly to the prosperity and resilience of our regions.  All of this, like in any budget, we must achieve within the limits of finite resources – by keeping national contributions within reasonable limits. Therefore, a balanced and ambitious package of so-called new own resources, new revenue streams for the European Union, will play a key role in the final agreement. But I am confident that, together, we will rise to the challenge. We will find a balanced agreement before the end of this year. That is the only way to avoid disruptions to our investments in our farmers, our businesses, our students, our researchers and our innovators.  Dear President, I would like to express my appreciation to Romania for its strong commitment to safeguarding European security. It is clear to all Europeans that our collective security is closely tied to the security of the Eastern border, including on the Black Sea.   Recent violations of the Romanian airspace as well as the incidents involving naval drones are deeply concerning. We will continue to stand firmly with Romania, because we understand that the security of Romania is Europe’s security as well. Our unity in supporting Ukraine will not be broken by Russians attempts to intimidate us or divide us. Here, let me commend Romania’s steadfast support for Ukraine. We must continue to work united for a just and lasting peace. I’m also grateful for Romania’s strong support for Moldova on its path towards the European Union. Every enlargement has made Europe stronger, politically and economically. It is one of Europe’s most important geopolitical investments. It is an investment in our security, stability and prosperity. What applied to previous enlargements, also applies to the Western Balkans, to Ukraine, and of course, to Moldova. They all represent important opportunities for the future of our Union. And we must keep up the current, true momentum in the accession process, a merit-based process that this year has achieved several key milestones.  To conclude, let me underline that our unity is our greatest strength, particularly in the face of today’s challenging geopolitical situation. The contribution and commitment of all member states is essential as we move forward.  And I know that Romania – under your leadership, dear Nicușor – will continue to play a fundamental role in making our Union stronger, safer and more resilient – and in delivering results for our citizens. Thank you.   Visit the website   ● European Council   01/09/2026 15:45 | Media accreditation | Media advisory - Accreditation for the European Council, 15 and 16 October 2026   The meeting of the European Council will take place on 15 and 16 October 2026 in the Europa building in Brussels. Address: Rue de la Loi 155/Wetstraat 155, 1040-Brussels. Registration Media representatives wishing to cover the meeting in person are required to register in advance, following this link. The deadline to register is Friday 18 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST.  IMPORTANT: Media representatives are strongly advised to apply by the deadline to allow sufficient time for processing the requests — especially those attending a European Summit for the first time. Due to organizational and security constraints, the Council cannot guarantee verification of applications for accreditation received after the deadline. Without verification, access to the summit will be denied. There is no need to register or collect any badge for the media representatives already in possession of the European Council annual badge. For more information, please also consult the Media accreditation page. Badge Collection A media accreditation desk will be set up at the LEX building (Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 145) outside the security perimeter, to allow for collection of badges during the events. Opening hours will be communicated in due time. Media opportunities A detailed programme, including information on media opportunities, will be published at a later stage. Press materials Videos and photos of the summits will be available on: Council Newsroom EC Audiovisual Service Council Live   Visit the website ● European Council   01/09/2026 15:46 | Media advisory | One-year badge 2026 - accreditation is open   This badge is intended for journalists residing in Belgium and gives access, during the whole calendar year 2026, to the Council premises during summits and high-level meetings, as well as on regular working days.  Application deadline: Friday 18 September 2026 at 14:00 Apply for the one-year badge More information on the one-year badge (PDF) Procedure Before starting the online procedure please make sure to have at hand the following piece of information and documents: the number of your valid identity document (national identity cards are only accepted for EU and EFTA nationals) or passport, as well as the issuing and expiry dates thereof a scanned copy of your EU or Belgian press card, OR of the assignment letter signed by your editor-in-chief confirming that you are covering EU affairs during the current year a passport-type picture in .jpeg format (max. 500KB) you will also be asked to print, sign and upload a form to give your authorisation to be security screened by the Belgian authorities. You will be able to download your consent form from your account Collection of badges You will receive an email to inform you once your application has been validated and the badge is ready to be collected. One-year badges can be collected, on an individual basis only, at the Justus Lipsius main accreditation desk on working days. Please ensure you have your ID/passport when collecting the badge.   Visit the website