Europe Daily News, 17 October 2025

COMPETITION

• Commission clears acquisition of Fiamm by Aurelius (M.12137) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of FläktGroup by Samsung Electronics (M.12040) - Midday Express
• Commission clears creation of joint venture MRO JV by Sofon and STEML (M.12134) - Midday Express
• Commission clears the creation of a joint venture by Infranity and Omnes Capital (M.12120) - Midday Express
• TCommission appoints a new Chief Technology Officer (Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye) for its Directorate-General for Competition - Midday Express
• Austria - US beverage company Keurig Dr Pepper filed its intended acquisition of Dutch coffee and tea company JDE Peet's for clearance - BWB/Z-7097
• France - The Autorité de la concurrence unconditionally clears the takeover by Airbus of certain assets of the Spirit AeroSystems group
• Norway - Norgesgruppen’s acquisition of Vitusapotek requires closer assessment
• Sweden - The Competition Authority responds to a referral regarding the repeal of prior regulation for radio and television
• Sweden - Special investigation of Telia's acquisition of Bredband2

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections – SA.115179 & SA.114880
• Commission approves €63 million Greek State aid for the development of a soil-free tomato facility (SA.118977) - Midday Express

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Agenda for: Working Party on Customs Union - 21 October 2025
• Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain heavyweight thermal paper originating in the Republic of Korea (CN codes ex 4809 90 00 , ex 4811 59 00 and ex 4811 90 00)
• Regulation (EU) 2025/2083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 October 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
• Report of the 7th round of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Thailand - 29 September – 3 October 2025
• Applications open for hosting new EU Customs Authority - Midday Express
• EU welcomes Vietnam to WTO’s alternative arbitration arrangement
• Imports of Russian gas and oil to the EU: MEPs back ban
• WTO - Government Procurement Committee reviews achievements at 100th meeting, welcomes observers
• Europe is the biggest loser in US-China rare earth wars - Financial Times

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2071 of 16 October 2025 on the recognition of equivalence under Article 8(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the supply chain due diligence scheme Responsible Minerals Assurance Process owned by the Responsible Minerals Initiative
• Answer given by EVP Séjourné to a MEP written question - Future of the Aluminium Dunkerque plant

FINANCE

• Commission specifies details of active account requirements - Midday Express
• ESMA publishes second consolidated report on sanctions
• Klaus Löber's speech at the EACH CCP Risk Management Summit, 14 October 2025
• Joint ESAs stocktaking of BigTechs’ direct financial services activities in the EU - 2025
• Brussels wants to grab another €25B from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine - Politico.eu

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• New waste rules set to enhance circularity of textile sector and reduce food waste
• EU's new strategy to shape a global clean and resilient transition - Q&A, FactSheet
• Sweden asks European Commission for more information on revision of ‘REACH’ regulation

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to Article 294(6) of the TFEU concerning the position of the Council on the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC
• Answer given by Mr Várhelyi to a MEP written question - EU-wide ban on flavoured and disposable vapes

EFSA

• Safety evaluation of the food enzyme cellulase from the non‐genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain AC 4‐984
• Updated safety evaluation of the food enzyme phospholipase A2 from the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain RF8793
• Efficacy of feed additives obtained from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.: Ginkgo tinctures for all animal species and ginkgo extract for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs (FEFANA asbl)
• Assessment of the feed additive neohesperidine dihydrochalcone (2b959) for piglets, pigs for fattening, calves, sheep, fish and dogs for the renewal of its authorisation (Adisseo S.A.S., ADM International Sàrl, Lucta S.A. and Norel S.A.)

DIGITAL ECONOMY &SOCIETY

• Agenda for: 3rd meeting of the CRA Expert Group - 22 October 2025
• Minutes of the Ninth meeting of the European Semiconductor Board - 07 October 2025
• Minutes of the Sixth meeting of the Commission expert group on the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work - 18 September 2025
• Cybersecurity – terms & conditions for delaying the notification of incidents (delegated act) - Delegated regulation - Feedback period: 16 October 2025 - 13 November 2025

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

• Commission celebrates broad political support for Roadmap for Women's Rights
• The Council has approved conclusions acknowledging the role played by bystanders and professionals in supporting victims and breaking the cycle of violence

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• Statement by the Commission on current discussions on the MFF proposal
• "Europe’s economy remains resilient despite rising global trade tensions" – Eurogroup President Donohoe's report to the President of the Euro Summit

EU DEFENCE

• European Defence Industry Programme: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement - See the EP Statement
• Commission welcomes political agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme
• Commission and High Representative present new Defence Roadmap to strengthen European defence capabilities
  - Remarks by EVP Virkkunen, HR/VP Kallas, and Commissioner Kubilius
  - Joint Communication Preserving Peace - Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030
  - Readiness 2030 Factsheet
  - White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 - Factsheet
  - ReArm Europe plan Factsheet

ACCESSION TO THE EU

• Commission releases funds for Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia under EU Growth Plan for Western Balkans
• Commission welcomes Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia as first Enlargement partners to join SEPA schemes

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• First ever EU-Egypt summit to take place in Brussels on 22 October
• Pact for the Mediterranean – One Sea, One Pact, One Future – a shared ambition for the region - Statement by President von der Leyen