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On Wednesday, Parliament gave a final green light to new rules obliging firms to mitigate their negative impact on human rights and the environment. The European Parliament approved with 374 votes against 235 and 19 abstentions the new “due diligence” directive, agreed on with the Council, requiring firms and their upstream and downstream partners, including supply, production and distribution to prevent, end or mitigate their adverse impact on human rights and the environment.

On Thursday, Parliament approved the Net-Zero industry Act to bolster EU production in technologies needed for decarbonisation. The "Net-Zero industry Act", already informally agreed upon with the Council, sets a target for Europe to produce 40% of its annual deployment needs in net-zero technologies by 2030, based on National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and to capture 15% of the global market value for these technologies.

The European Parliament has adopted a package of laws strengthening the EU’s toolkit to fight money-laundering and terrorist financing. The new laws ensure that people with a legitimate interest, including journalists, media professionals, civil society organisations, competent authorities, and supervisory bodies, will have immediate, unfiltered, direct and free access to beneficial ownership information held in national registries and interconnected at EU level.

On Wednesday, MEPs endorsed updated plans to complete major trans-European transport projects, such as cross-border roads, railways, bridges and tunnels, by the end of 2030. To eliminate bottlenecks and missing transport links, MEPs backed an update of the EU’s plan to build a network of railways, roads, inland waterways and short sea shipping routes connected through ports and terminals across the EU.

MEPs gave their final green light to the EU Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The new rules, adopted with 613 votes in favour, 7 against and 11 abstentions and already agreed on by the Parliament and the Council, will establish an EU-wide disability card to make sure that persons with disabilities have equal access to preferential conditions, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access and access to reserved parking.

On Wednesday, MEPs approved new rules aiming to improve the working conditions of platform workers. The new rules, agreed on by the Parliament and the Council in February and adopted with 554 votes in favour, 56 votes against and 24 abstentions, aim to ensure that platform workers have their employment status classified correctly and to correct bogus self-employment. They also regulate, for the first time ever in the EU, the use of algorithms in the workplace.

The revised law aims to reduce air pollution in the EU for a clean and healthy environment for citizens, and to achieve the EU’s zero air pollution vision by 2050. Parliament on Wednesday adopted a provisional political agreement with EU countries on new measures to improve air quality in the EU so it is no longer harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity, by 381 votes in favour, 225 against, and 17 abstentions.

On Wednesday, Parliament adopted new measures to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU. The regulation aims to tackle constantly growing waste, harmonise internal market rules and boost the circular economy. The rules, which have been provisionally agreed on with the Council, include packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and require EU countries to reduce, in particular, the amount of plastic packaging waste.

MEPs approved the creation of a European Health Data Space, improving citizens’ access to their health data and boosting secure sharing in the public interest. MEPs voted with 445 in favour to approve the inter-institutional agreement on establishing a European Health Data Space. It will empower patients to access their health data in an electronic format, including from a different member state to the one in which they live, and allow health professionals to consult their patients’ files.

The new rules reinforce the right to repair, aim to reduce waste and bolster the repair sector by making it easier and more cost-effective to repair goods. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted the directive on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers with 584 votes in favour, 3 against and 14 abstentions. The rules clarify the obligations for manufacturers to repair goods and encourage consumers to extend a product’s lifecycle through repair.

The European Parliament has given its final green light to revised rules on preventing and combating human trafficking and protecting its victims. On Tuesday, MEPs adopted a law expanding the scope of current measures to combat and prevent human trafficking and better support its victims. To broaden the EU’s actions against human trafficking beyond labour and sexual exploitation, the new law also criminalises forced marriage, illegal adoption and exploitation of surrogacy at the EU level.

Parliament has given its final approval to a new regulation enabling the EU to prohibit the sale, import, and export of goods made using forced labour. Member state authorities and the European Commission will be able to investigate suspicious goods, supply chains, and manufacturers. If a product is deemed to have been made using forced labour, it will no longer be possible to sell it on the EU market (including online) and shipments will be intercepted at the EU’s borders.

On Thursday, MEPs adopted plans to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, into the EU gas market. The new directive and regulation on the gas and hydrogen markets aim to decarbonise the EU's energy sector, enhancing the production and integration of renewable gases and hydrogen. These measures are designed to secure energy supplies disrupted by geopolitical tensions, particularly the Russian war against Ukraine, and address climate change.

The reform adopted on Thursday will make the EU electricity market more stable, affordable, and sustainable. The law will protect consumers against volatile prices. MEPs ensured that they will have the right to access fixed-price contracts or dynamic price contracts, and receive important information on the options they sign up to. Suppliers will not be allowed to unilaterally change the terms of a contract.

To improve the health of EU soils, MEPs support efforts to monitor and improve the soil ecological status in the EU. MEPs support the overall aim to have healthy soils by 2050, in line with the EU Zero Pollution ambition and the need for a harmonised definition of soil health as well as a comprehensive and coherent monitoring framework to foster sustainable soil management and remediate contaminated sites.

MEPs adopted their proposals to revamp EU pharmaceutical legislation, to foster innovation and enhance the security of supply, accessibility and affordability of medicines. MEPs want to introduce a minimum regulatory data protection period (during which other companies cannot access product data) of seven and a half years, in addition to two years of market protection (during which generic, hybrid or biosimilar products cannot be sold), following a marketing authorisation.

The law will set up an EU certification framework for carbon removals to boost their uptake and help achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050. The legislation covers different types of carbon removals, namely permanent carbon storage through industrial technologies, carbon storage in long-lasting products and carbon farming. It aims to boost their use and improve the EU’s capacity to quantify, monitor and verify such activities in order to counter greenwashing.

The European Parliament today adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy as agreed with EU member states. Solidarity and responsibility In order to assist EU countries subject to migratory pressure, other member states will contribute by relocating asylum applicants or beneficiaries of international protection to their territory, making financial contributions, or providing operational and technical support.

The new law will enable the EU to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector to reach the EU’s climate goals and improve air quality. Parliament adopted a political agreement with EU countries on a law to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector. The new regulation is the first piece of EU legislation aimed at cutting methane emissions and covers direct methane emissions from the oil, fossil gas and coal sectors, and from biomethane once it is injected into the gas network.

On Wednesday, MEPs gave their green light to new EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers. With 297 votes in favour, 190 against and 37 abstentions, Parliament adopted the deal reached with the Council on the Euro 7 regulation (type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles). Vehicles will need to comply with the new standards for longer, ensuring they remain cleaner throughout their lifetime.

On Wednesday, Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation. It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its proposals to better prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU. MEPs adopted their first reading position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework. They propose higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030 - at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%).

MEPs gave their final green light to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Under the new law, member states will be obliged to protect media independence and all forms of interventions in editorial decisions will be banned. Authorities will be prohibited from pressing journalists and editors to disclose their sources, including by detaining them, sanctions, office searches, or by installing intrusive surveillance software on their devices.

The overhaul of the EU Customs Code reform would change the way customs authorities operate, cooperate with traders and manage goods that people order online. The EU Customs Code needs a thorough revamp due to the exponential growth of e-commerce and many new product standards, bans, obligations and sanctions the EU has put in place in recent years. The reform introduces new tools and puts in place simpler processes to help customs authorities to work more efficiently.

On Tuesday, MEPs adopted plans, already agreed upon with Council, to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector. The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to progressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. It also aims to have more worst-performing buildings renovated and improve information-sharing on energy performance.

The new rules will reduce harmful emissions from industrial installations and large pig and poultry farms to protect human health and the environment. Parliament adopted the deal with member states on the revision of the industrial emission directive (IED) with 393 votes in favour, 173 against and 49 abstentions, and the new regulation on the Industrial Emissions Portal with 506 votes in favour, 82 against and 25 abstentions.

Parliament has adopted its position on establishing a verification and pre-approval system for environmental marketing claims to protect citizens from misleading ads. The green claims directive would oblige companies to submit evidence about their environmental marketing claims before advertising products as “biodegradable”, “less polluting”, “water saving” or having “bio based content”. EU countries would have to assign verifiers to pre-approve the use of such claims.

The new digital identity framework will provide EU citizens with cross border digital access to key public services. According to the regulation adopted on Thursday, and already agreed upon with EU ministers, this new Digital Identity Wallet will allow citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online without having to resort to commercial providers - a practice that raises trust, security and privacy concerns.

The EU needs a long-term political vision and institutional and financial reforms to ensure its capacity to absorb new members, MEPs say in a report adopted on Thursday. In a report adopted on Thursday, MEPs stress that the processes for preparing for enlargement should take place in parallel in both the EU and accession countries. MEPs call for stronger protection of the rule of law and the EU’s democratic values against backsliding, ensuring that enlargement strengthens the Union.

On Wednesday, MEPs warned about democratic backsliding across many member states and criticised the Commission’s inaction in safeguarding EU values. In its assessment of the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report, Parliament takes note of some concrete positive developments, including the new Polish government’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and media freedom, whilst highlighting persistent threats to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights in several EU member states.

Parliament has given its final green light to the reform of EU rules strengthening the protection of Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products. During negotiations with member states, MEPs insisted national authorities will have to take administrative and judicial measures to prevent or stop the illegal use of GIs not only offline but also online. Domain names using GIs illegally will be shut down or access to them disabled via geo-blocking.

MEPs approve long-term funding for Ukraine, the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), and associated major changes to the multi-year EU budget. Parliament on Tuesday approved the revision of the EU’s long-term budget – the multiannual financial framework (MFF). This includes the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), which aims to make the EU more strategically independent and to foster innovation.

On Tuesday, Parliament approved updated EU procedures and control measures for waste shipments. With 587 votes in favour, eight against and 33 abstentions, MEPs endorsed the deal reached with the Council, which aims to protect the environment and human health more effectively, while contributing to the EU’s circular economy and zero pollution goals. The rules for exporting waste from the EU to third countries will be stricter.

The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security. To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law from a poor to a good condition by 2030.

The new rules will aim to enhance citizens’ trust in election campaigns and help fight against disinformation and foreign interference. Parliament adopted new rules on transparency and targeting of political advertising, which will make election and referenda campaigns more transparent and resistant to interference. The new rules will regulate political advertisements, notably online ads, while also providing for a framework for political actors to advertise more easily across the EU.

For a more sustainable and resilient food system, MEPs support a simpler process for NGT plants equivalent to conventional plants. Parliament adopted its position for negotiations on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which alter the genetic material of an organism. The objective is to make the food system more sustainable and resilient by developing improved plant varieties that are climate resilient, pest resistant, and give higher yields or that require fewer fertilisers and pesticides.

Parliament has given its final green light to a directive that will improve product labelling and ban the use of misleading environmental claims. The directive adopted today seeks to protect consumers from misleading marketing practices and help them make better purchasing choices. To achieve this, a number of problematic marketing habits related to greenwashing and the early obsolescence of goods will be added to the EU list of banned commercial practices.

On Tuesday, Parliament approved new rules to minimise emissions from powerful greenhouse gases, in line with EU and global climate goals. With 457 votes in favour, 92 against and 32 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a deal reached with the Council to further cut emissions from fluorinated gases. The text foresees a total phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050, including a trajectory to reduce the EU consumption quota between 2024-2049.

14-12-2023 - On Thursday, the co-rapporteurs of Parliament's proposals for the revision of the EU's cornerstone legal documents issued the following statement.

On Wednesday, MEPs adopted their position on creating a European Health Data Space to ease access to personal health data and boost secure sharing. The new European Health Data Space (EHDS) would empower citizens to control their personal healthcare data and facilitate secure sharing for research and altruistic (i.e. not-for-profit) purposes. Plenary adopted the report, which will serve as Parliament’s negotiating mandate in talks with Council on the final form of the legislation.

On Tuesday, Parliament gave its final green light to plans to boost the EU’s supply of strategic raw materials. The Critical Raw Materials Act is designed to make the EU more competitive and sovereign, by cutting red tape, fostering innovation along the entire value chain and supporting SMEs. It also aims to boost research, the development of alternative materials, and more environmentally-friendly mining and production methods.

On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its proposals to strengthen the democratic dimension of the 2024 elections, and for the lead candidate system. The report calls for measures to boost voter turnout during the 6-9 June 2024 elections beyond the increased figures recorded in 2019. Parliament’s focus is on maximising the impact of electoral campaigns, the post-electoral procedure for the establishment of the next European Commission and the election of its President, and ensuring the right to vote.

On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its position on new EU-wide rules on packaging, to tackle constantly growing waste and boost reuse and recycling. MEPs approved the report, which constitutes Parliament’s mandate for negotiations with EU governments, with 426 votes in favour, 125 against and 74 abstentions.

MEPs are ready to start talks with EU countries on new measures to strengthen CO2 emission reduction targets for new heavy-duty vehicles, which include buses, trucks and trailers. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its negotiating position with 445 votes in favour, 152 against and 30 abstentions. MEPs want strong CO2 emissions reduction targets for medium and heavy trucks, including vocational vehicles (such as garbage trucks, tippers or concrete mixers) and buses.

Parliament has adopted its position on a new EU certification framework for technological and natural carbon removals to help achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050. With 448 votes to 65 and 114 abstentions, MEPs agreed with setting up a system to improve the EU’s capacity to quantify, monitor and verify carbon removals. It should help to increase their use, build trust with stakeholders and industry and counter greenwashing.

Parliament adopted its negotiating position on new measures to strengthen the right to repair and reduce the environmental impact of mass consumption. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its position on a stronger “right to repair” for consumers, with 590 votes in favour, 15 against, and 15 abstentions. The proposal aims to encourage more sustainable consumption, by making it easier to repair defective goods, reducing waste and supporting the repair sector.

The "Data Act", already agreed between MEPs and member states, aims to stimulate innovation by eliminating barriers to data access. The new legislation establishes rules on the sharing of data generated through the use of connected products or related services (e.g. the Internet of Things, industrial machinery) and allows users to access the data they generate.

On Thursday, Parliament paved the way for introducing the next generation of “own resources”, sources of revenue for the EU budget. With 399 votes in favour, 138 against and 61 abstentions, Parliament has taken an important step towards implementing an amendment to the law governing the EU’s revenue, the so-called “Own Resources Decision” (ORD).

MEPs are ready to start talks with EU governments on new rules to reduce road transport emissions for passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks. On Thursday, Parliament adopted its negotiating position on revamping EU rules for type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles. The new regulation will update current limits for exhaust emissions and will introduce new measures to reduce emissions from tyres and brakes, and increase battery durability.

MEPs gave a green light to new responsibilities for EU vessels engaged in research and to the cross-listing of those involved in IUU fishing in regional fisheries management organisations. The Commission's proposal specifies the need for vessels with an EU country flag to present research plans, the requirements for vessels involved in research activities in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) area as well as the minimum information to be included in the surveys carried on.

MEPs pushed for inclusivity and accessibility regardless of disability, language skills or poor internet coverage On Wednesday, MEPs voted on a new law to digitalise Schengen visas, which will make them more secure and accessible. Following an agreement with the Council in June, the Parliament has approved digitalised visa procedures for the Schengen free-movement area with 573 votes in favour, 36 against, and 16 abstentions, and 548 votes in favour, 37 against, and 9 abstentions.