Europe Daily News, 12 December 2025

COMPETITION

• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12176 - HDI / TUiR Warta / TU Europa)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12225 - Lone Star Funds / Hillenbrand)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12238 - Deva Capital / Novares Group)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12209 - Antin / Subsidiaries of Lusat Air)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12097 - Clinique Saint Augustin / Clinique Tivoli-Ducos / PBNA / Had Bordeaux Métropole)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12150 - Comer / Nabtesco’s Hydraulics Business and Comer / Shanghai Electric / Komatsu / Shanghai Nabtesco Hydraulic)

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections – SA.104276
• Commission approves €3.8 billion Danish State aid scheme to promote investment in carbon capture and storage (SA.115167) - Midday Express
• Commission approves €100 million Austrian scheme to support cleantech manufacturing capacity (SA.120165) - Midday Express

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of ammonium nitrate originating in Russia (CN codes 3102 30 90 , 3102 40 90 , ex 3102 29 00 , ex 3102 60 00 , ex 3102 90 00 , ex 3105 10 00 , ex 3105 20 10 , ex 3105 51 00 , ex 3105 59 00 and ex 3105 90 20 , ex 3602 00 00) 
• Council Decision (EU) 2025/2535 of 27 November 2025 supplementing Decision (EU) 2020/2059 and establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Trade Committee established under the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Pacific States, of the other part, as regards the amendment of certain provisions of Protocol II concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, as regards cumulation with neighbouring developing countries
• Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union, of the one part, and the Common Market of the South, the Argentine Republic, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, of the other part - See Annex 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13
• Council Decision on the "conclusion" and on the "signing and provisional application" of the Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union, of the one part, and the Common Market of the South, the Argentine Republic, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, of the other part
• Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Common Market of the South, the Argentine Republic, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, of the other part  - See Annex 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
• Council Decision on the conclusion, on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Common Market of the South, the Argentine Republic, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, of the other part
• Joint Minutes: 11th Intellectual Property Dialogue between the European Union and the Republic of Korea - 26 November 2025
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Impact of imports of Chinese peach compote in the European Union

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC
• EU plans special parking rights for ‘Made in Europe’ small cars - New EV class with lighter rules and subsidy arrangements aims to help European carmakers battle Chinese competition - Financial Times

CHEMICAL

• Regulation (EU) 2025/2455 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 establishing a common data platform on chemicals, laying down rules to ensure that the data contained in it are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable and establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals
• Regulation (EU) 2025/2457 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 401/2009, (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2019/1021 as regards the reattribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals
• Directive (EU) 2025/2456 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 amending Directive 2011/65/EU as regards the reattribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency

FINANCE

• Opinion of Advocate General Richard de la Tour of 11 December 2025 in Joined Cases C‑684/24 and C‑685/24; Across Fiduciaria SpA, Galvani Fiduciaria Srl, Sfo Fiduciaria Srl Vs. Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri and Others
  Reference for a preliminary ruling - Internal policy of the European Union - Approximation of laws - Directive (EU) 2015/849 - Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing - Article 31 - Information on beneficial ownership regarding trusts and similar legal arrangements - Access by natural or legal persons with a legitimate interest - Vagueness of the concept of ‘legitimate interest’ - Fundamental rights of beneficial owners - Validity’
• ESMA - Public Statement on upcoming reporting obligations under EMIR 3
• ESMA appoints Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani and Christopher P. Buttigieg as the new members of its Management Board and renews Armi Taipale’s mandate
• The EBA publishes final draft amending technical standards on factors assessing the appropriateness of real estate risk weights
• EU banks should reduce their reliance on US Big Tech, top supervisor says - Dutch central bank exec warns ‘concentration risk’ could lead to ‘major operational problems.’ - Politico.eu

TAXATION

• Judgment of the Court of 11 December 2025 in Case C‑796/23, Česká síť s. r. o. Vs. Odvolací finanční ředitelství
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Taxation - Common system of VAT - Directive 2006/112/EC - Article 9(1) - Concept of ‘taxable person’ - Partners in a civil law partnership devoid of legal personality - Article 193 - Determination of the taxable person liable to pay VAT
• Judgment of the Court of 11 December 2025 in Case C‑121/24, ‘Vaniz’ EOOD Vs. Direktor na Direktsia ‘Obzhalvane i danachno-osiguritelna praktika’ - Veliko Tarnovo,
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Common system of VAT - Directive 2006/112/EC - Article 205 - Joint and several liability - Insolvency of the principal debtor - Continued obligation to pay VAT - Joint and several liability of a third party after the removal of the principal debtor from the commercial register - Principle of legal certainty - Principle of proportionality

ENERGY

• December infringements package: key decisions on energy
• Eurostat: Renewables in electricity generation up 4% in Q3 2025 
• Many Europeans want better protection against energy poverty - Midday Express
• Commission extends in-depth investigation into Lithuanian electricity reserve scheme - Midday Express
• Remarks by EVP Ribera and Commissioner Jørgensen at the Press conference on the European Grids package

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Climate change) - 18 December 2025
• Circular economy: Council and Parliament strike deal on rules for vehicle circularity and management of end-of-life vehicles - See the Commission reactions

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• Judgment of the Court of 11 December 2025 in Case C‑473/24, Speyer & Grund GmbH & Co. KG Vs. Werner & Mertz GmbH
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 - Article 3(1)(a) - Concept of ‘biocidal product’ - Condition as to the ‘intended purpose’ of the product - Vinegar-based products intended for use as both foodstuffs and cleaning products/disinfectants for foodstuffs (‘multi-purpose products’) - Scope of Regulation No 528/2012 - Article 2(1) and (2) - Annex V - List of the types of biocidal products covered by the regulation - Protection of human and animal health and the environment

DIGITAL, DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

• Agenda for: Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues - 15 December 2025
• Regulation (EU) 2025/2518 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 laying down additional procedural rules on the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679
• Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Number of investigations into fraudulent or child sexual abuse products under the Digital Services Act
• Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Developing artificial intelligence for the protection of minors, under parental control
• Answer given by Mr McGrath to a MEP written question - Digital sovereignty and protection of Europeans’ data
• Europe must be ready when the AI bubble bursts - A market correction will give the EU the chance to offer a trust-based alternative to American tech by Marietje Schaake - Financial Times

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• Main results of the Eurogroup - 11 December 2025
  - Kyriakos Pierrakakis elected Eurogroup President
  - Eurogroup statement on the draft budgetary plans for 2026
  - Remarks by Commissioner Dombrovskis at the Eurogroup press conference
  - Remarks by Makis Keravnos, acting President of the Eurogroup, following the Eurogroup meeting
  
• ECB - T2S auto-collateralisation: benefits, conditions and functioning
• Revised European Semester roadmap, as prepared by the Presidency and incoming Presidency

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Answer given by HR /VP Kallas to a MEP written question - Sanctions against the United Arab Emirates for its role and arms supplies to Sudan

EU/RUSSIA/UKRAINE

• Ukraine Facility: Council approves sixth payment of around €2.3 billion to Kyiv
• Joint Statement between Commissioner Marta Kos and Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Taras Kachka
• Answer given by Mr Kubilius to a MEP written question - The use of frozen Russian assets – will support for Ukraine become support for the major players?
• Russia sues Euroclear over frozen assets - Legal challenge is first shot across the bows as Brussels aims to use funds for €90bn loan to Ukraine - Financial Times