Europe Daily News, 11 February 2026

COMPETITION

• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12283 - Freudenberg / Nilfisk)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12245 - Sennder / Lkww / Truckerpoints)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12252 - Blackstone / Tinicum / Pennaero / Trimas Aerospace )
• Commission approves Google's acquisition of Wiz (M.11964)
• Commission clears acquisition of Groupe Bertin by Chequers and Fremman (M.12274) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of StarRez by Five Arrows and Vista (M.12271) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of Kartesia by NYLIM (M.12306) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of Bartec by OEP (M.12169) - Midday Express
• The decision clearing the Kingdom of Denmark's takeover of the operator of Copenhagen and Roskilde airports has been published by the European Commission - See Case M.11871
• Belgium - The Competition Authority approves the acquisition of sole control of Jaguar Holdco (Hema) by Mississippi Holdco (Jumbo)
• Germany - Bundeskartellamt approves FFF group’s plans to reform press distribution system
• Greece - Priority examination and assignment to a Commissioner-Rapporteur of a case concerning possible anti-competitive practices in the market for remittance services
• Sweden - Special investigation into Hypergene's acquisition of Stratsys
• European Publishers Council files formal antitrust complaint against Google over AI Overviews and AI Mode

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections - SA.120705
• State aid - Lithuania - State Aid SA.44725 (2019/C) - Lithuania - Public service obligation (PSO) for security of electricity supply - Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 108(2) of the TFEU

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council - Letter to the Chair of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA)
• MEPs backed extra safeguards to prevent harm to Europe’s agriculture sector following trade liberalisation with Mercosur countries
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Chinese tariffs on EU agri-food products
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - China’s tariff hike on European dairy products
• Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Effects of new EU proposal on steel processing industry
• EU Parliament reaches deal on US trade pact - Changes worked into the Parliament’s position set the stage for difficult talks with EU capitals on steel and on the duration of tariff concessions - Politico.eu

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Emergency plans for industrial resilience: follow-up to the Industrial Action Plans for Europe’s steel, automotive and chemical industries within the Clean Industrial Deal - Exchange of views
• Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament plenary debate on urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU Single Market and reduce the cost of living – from the Draghi report to reality
• Answer given by EVP Séjourné to a MEP written question - Commission response to recent Chinese export restrictions on critical raw materials
• Answer given by EVP Séjourné to a MEP written question - Protection of European producers and sellers against unfair competition from sellers on Chinese online marketplaces

AUTOMOTIVE

• MEPs gave their green light for EU funds (€7.5 million) to be disbursed for workers dismissed following the closure of an Audi factory in Brussels
• From Invention to Independence: Strengthening Europe’s Auto Industry through Innovation, Open Markets and Pragmatic Green Policy - See the Acea Letter

CHEMICAL

• Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the REACH
• Answer given by EVP Séjourné to a MEP written question - Procedural gaps and the agricultural and supply-chain impact of the proposed REACH restriction on calcium cyanamide 
• European chemical giants plot to weaken EU’s flagship climate policy - The ultra-polluting sector says the EU’s carbon price is putting it out of business - Politico.eu

FINANCE

• Call for evidence: Competitiveness in the single banking market - Communication - Feedback period: 11 February 2026 - 11 March 2026

TAXATION

• Judgment of the General Court of 11 February 2026 in Case T-643/24, Centrul Român pentru Administrarea Drepturilor Artiștilor Interpreți (Credidam) Vs. Cristian General Serv SRL
  Re: Preliminary ruling - Taxation - Common system of VAT - Taxable transactions - Concept of ‘supply of services for consideration’ - Article 2(1)(c), Article 24(1) and Article 25(a) and (c) of Directive 2006/112/EC - Taxable amount - Concept of ‘consideration’ - Articles 73 and 78(1)(a) of Directive 2006/112 - Holders of related rights - Communication of phonograms and audiovisual programs without a license - Remuneration paid to the collective management organization - Surcharge
• Judgment of the General Court of 11 February 2026 in Case T‑689/24, I. S.A. Vs. Dyrektor Krajowej Informacji Skarbowej
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Taxation - Common system of VAT - Right to deduct input VAT - Article 167, Article 168(a) and Article 178(a) of Directive 2006/112/EC - Issuing of the invoice showing the VAT during the tax period following that in respect of which the right of deduction is exercised - Fiscal neutrality and proportionality
• Agenda for: Ad Hoc Working Party on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (AHWP CBAM) - 13 February 2026

AGRICULTUE & FISHERIES

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets - Horizontal Questions - 16 February 2026
• MEPs backed new legislation to enhance protection and support for European wine producers
• The Commission sets up the European Ocean Board and calls for experts to advise on ocean policy - Midday Express
• Commission partially registers European Citizens' Initiative on the protection of stray dogs, stray cats and animals in shelters

ENERGY

• Agenda for: Working Party on Energy - 17 February 2026
• Agenda for: Working Party on Energy - 18 February 2026
• EU and Egypt launch initiatives for sustainable energy cooperation - Midday Express
• Commissioner Jørgensen in Algeria to strengthen energy partnership and support diversification

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• EU climate law: a 2040 emissions reduction target of 90% for the EU

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• Judgment of the General Court of 11 February 2026 in Case T‑1183/23, Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A., supported by Biogaran, Vs. European Commission, supported by Biogen Netherlands BV
  Re: Medicinal products for human use - Revocation of the marketing authorisation for Dimethyl Fumarate Polpharma - dimethyl fumarate, a medicinal product for human use - Directive 2001/83/EC - Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 - Article 266 TFEU
• Judgment of the General Court of 11 February 2026 in Case T‑1181/23, Mylan Ireland Ltd, Vs. European Commission, supported by Biogen Netherlands BV
  Re:Medicinal products for human use - Revocation of the marketing authorisation for Dimethyl Fumarate Mylan - dimethyl fumarate, a medicinal product for human use - Directive 2001/83/EC - Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 - Article 266 TFEU
• Report from the Commission on the experience of Member States with Directive 2009/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms for the period 2022 – 2024
• Answer given by EVP Séjourné to a MEP written question - Marketing cosmetic products to children

SCCS

• Scientific Advice on the safety of Thiomersal and Phenylmercuric salts as preservatives in cosmetic products
• Scientific advice on hair dye ‘Basic Brown 16’ (C009) - Submission V ter. and on hair dye ‘Basic blue 99’ (C059) - Submissions IV & V
• Prostaglandin Analogues: Methylamido-Dihydro-Noralfaprostal (MDN), Isopropyl Cloprostenate (IPCP), Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide (DDDE)

DIGITAL & INFORMATION SOCIETY

• Communication from the Commission – Commission guidelines on the implementation of the declaration functionality for media service providers pursuant to Article 18 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 (European Media Freedom Act)
• Commission launches Action Plan Against Cyberbullying to protect young people online - FactSheet & Remarks by EVP Virkkunen and Commissioner Micallef
• Commission seeks feedback on review of audiovisual media legislation (10 February 2026 - 01 May 2026) - Midday Express
• Commission presents action plan to counter drone threats - Factsheet & Com(2026)81
• Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Artificial general intelligence

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

• Parliament adopted changes to the EU asylum procedure regulations to enable faster processing of asylum requests (Establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level & Application of the ‘safe third country’ concept)
• Commission welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the safe third country concept and the first safe countries of origin list
• Commission seeks views on updating shareholders rights across the EU- Proposal for a directive - Feedback period: 11 February 2026 - 06 May 2026

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• European Commission issues €11 billion in its 2nd syndicated transaction of 2026
• Commission partially greenlights Slovakia's seventh payment request for €658 million under NextGenerationEU
• MEPs stress the importance of independent central banks in times of heightened tension - The vote followed a debate with ECB President Lagarde

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures
  - directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Tunisia
  - in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan
• Joint Statement by HR Kallas and Commissioners Šuica and Lahbib on the Israeli Security Cabinet decision to amend the land registration and property acquisition procedures in the West Bank
• UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock: The United Nations need Europe
• “Expanded and enhanced” – opening a new chapter for EU Defence Partnerships - See the EP Statement

EU/RUSSIA/UKRAINE

• Judgment of the General Court of 11 February 2026 In Case T-693/25, Maya Tokareva Vs. Council of the European Union
  Re: CFSP - Restrictive measures taken with regard to actions undermining or threatening the integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine - Freezing of funds - List of persons, entities and bodies to which the freezing of funds and economic resources applies - Reinstatement of the applicant's name on the list - Concept of “benefit derived from an influential businesswoman or man carrying on activities in Russia” - Article 2(1)(g) of Decision 2014/145/CFSP - Error of assessment - Article 266 TFEU
• Parliament approves €90 billion Ukraine support loan package