The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector.
New EU rules to prevent microplastic pollution from plastic pellets took effect from 16 December 2025, marking a major step in the EU’s work to reduce microplastic emissions at their source.
The European Commission is committing €8.85 million to develop a groundbreaking diagnostic device that will help clinicians choose the appropriate treatments for patients who may need antibiotics.
The European Commission has fined three automotive starter battery manufacturers and a trade association a total of around €72 million for participating in a long-running cartel concerning automotive starter batteries.
Fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and other waters for 2026 and for certain stocks for 2027 and 2028.
The EU’s Council and Parliament have reached agreement on major reform of EU pharmaceutical rules, to increase patients’ access to medicine and make the EU’s pharmaceutical sector fairer and more competitive.
The European Commission has adopted the main Horizon Europe work programme for 2026-2027, with a budget of EUR 14 billion to drive research and innovation across the EU’s strategic goals.
