Europe Daily News, 21 October 2025

COMPETITION

• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12185 - CPP Investments / Stone Point / Onedigital )
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12045 - Advent / Kereis)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11854 - Zalando / About You)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12102 - Banca CF+ / Banca Sistema)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12091 - Advent / Reckitt Benckiser (Essential Home Business))
• Commission carries out unannounced antitrust inspections in the ski equipment sector

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections - SA.114252

 TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Working Programme - "Trade Policy Day" - 20 November 2025
• Agenda for: First Trade Committee meeting of the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement - 25 October 2025, Queenstown New Zealand
• Import surveillance: 5th edition of trade monitoring results - 17 October 2025
  - Results of analysis (1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025)
  - Heat map for 5th release (analysis for the period January to August 2025)
  - Explanatory note
• Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) originating in the People’s Republic of China
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - New EU-USA framework agreement on trade
• WTO - China initiates dispute regarding Indian measures on batteries, auto parts and e-vehicles

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Call for evidence & Public consultation: Advanced Materials Act - Proposal for a regulation - Feedback period: 21 October 2025 - 13 January 2026
• ACEA calls for quick resolution to critical chip supply shortage

ENERGY

• Main results of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) - 20 October 2025
  - The need to address the daylight saving time given the absence of energy efficiency gains - Information from Spain

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Expert Group for Agricultural Markets - CMO Regulation - Arable Crops and Olive Oil
• Minutes of the Meeting of the Organic Production Committee - 25 September 2025
• Call for evidence: Organic production – targeted updates and simplification - Proposal for a regulation - Feedback period: 21 October 2025 - 18 November 2025

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Int. Chemicals/Synergies) - 27 October 2025
• Meeting of the Council of the European Union (Environment) on 21 October 2025
  - Reflecting the environmental agenda in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 - Information from Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Spain
• Public consultation - Ship recycling – format of the ready for recycling certificate - Implementing decision - Feedback period: 20 October 2025 - 17 November 2025
• Public consultation -Ship recycling – format of the certificate on the inventory of hazardous materials - Implementing decision - Feedback period - 20 October 2025 - 17 November 2025
• Recommendation for Second Reading by MEP Martin Hojsik on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law)
• Recommendation for Second Reading by MEP César Luena on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution
  
• Answer given by Mr Hoekstra to a MEP written question - The declining carbon capacity of EU forests
• Five golden rules for Europe’s green transition - We cannot allocate money based on vibes but must bet on technologies that deliver what truly matters: lower emissions - Financial Times
• EU to exempt small farmers from deforestation law - Revisions to law, whose implementation has been delayed, come after pressure from trading partners such as Indonesia - Financial Times

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Prohibited predatory marketing of illicit vapes to children on Snapchat and severe medical harm to children caused by vapes
• Answer given by Mr Várhelyi to a MEP written question - Corn syrup Coca-Cola imports into Europe and public health risks
• Answer given by Mr Várhelyi to a MEP written question - Ethanol in products of societal importance
• EU weighs ban on ethanol in hand sanitiser over cancer fears - Working group within European Chemicals Agency flags substance as toxic for humans - Financial Times 

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

• Agenda for: 11th Meeting of the European Cybersecurity Certification Committee - 28 October 2025
• EDPB finds new UK data protection framework compliant, but calls on European Commission to be “vigilant”
  - Opinion 27/2025 regarding the European Commission Draft Implementing Decision pursuant to Directive (EU) 2016/680 on the adequate protection of personal data by the United Kingdom
  - Opinion 26/2025 regarding the European Commission Draft Implementing Decision pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the adequate protection of personal data by the United Kingdom
• EDPB - The Digital Euro and its token-based offline modality - An expert opinion
• Answer given by Mr McGrath to a MEP written question - Exclusion of economic disputes from the scope of the GDPR in France and consequences for fundamental rights and banking regulation

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

• Agenda for: Working Party on Aviation - 24 October 2025
• Modernising EU driving rules to increase road safety - See the EP Statement

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Main Results of the Foreign Affairs Council - 20 October 2025 - Press remarks by HR Kaja Kalla
  - Sudan: Council approves conclusions on the ongoing conflict
  - New strategic EU-India agenda: Council approves conclusions
  - Council greenlights Switzerland’s association to EU programmes
  - EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Council approves conclusions
  - Co-Chairs Conclusions on Strengthening Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity
• Council Conclusions on Upgrading the EU-UN Strategic Partnership on Peace and Security: Joint Priorities 2025-2028

EU/RUSSIA/UKRAINE

• Answer given by HR/VP Kallas on behalf of the European Commission - EU support for arms deliveries to Ukraine following recent developments
• Statement by President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Starmer, Chancellor Merz, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Tusk, President von der Leyen, President Costa, Prime Minister Støre, President Stubb and Prime Minister Frederiksen on Peace for Ukraine