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Highlights - Consideration of proposals amending the European Biotechnology Act (Directive) - Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
On 24 March 2026, in a joint meeting, ENVI and SANT will consider the Commission proposal amending Directives 2001/18/EC (GMOs Directive) and 2010/53/EU (Human Organs Directive) as part of the EU Biotechnology Act. The proposal aims to modernise EU biotechnology rules by creating a more tailored regulatory framework for genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) and clarifying oversight of organ processing technologies used prior to transplantation.With regard to the GMO Directive, the proposal introduces targeted amendments to reflect the specific characteristics and applications of GMMs. It adapts risk-assessment requirements, allows the consent for placing GMMs on the market to remain valid for an unlimited period and adjusts detection method obligations where technical limitations exist. The proposal also introduces the concept of "low-risk GMMs", accompanied by scientific criteria and a simplified authorisation procedure for eligible products. As regards the Human Organs Directive, the proposal aims to clarify the regulatory framework for organ processing prior to transplantation. It formally recognises processing activities and establishes authorisation, risk-assessment and oversight requirements.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Consideration of draft report on the reform of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism - Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
On 24 March 2026, ENVI Members will consider the draft report on the proposal to reform the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The proposal aims to strengthen EU preparedness and response to increasingly frequent and complex crises, including natural disasters, hybrid threats and cross-border health emergencies.Building on lessons from recent crises - such as large-scale floods and the COVID-19 pandemic - the Commission proposes replacing the current Decision with a directly applicable Regulation to reinforce EU-level coordination and operational capacity. Key elements include strengthening the EU's strategic emergency reserve (rescEU), integrating health emergency preparedness into the civil protection framework, and establishing an EU Crisis Coordination Hub to improve cross-sectoral risk monitoring, situational awareness and crisis management support for Member States. The initiative forms part of the broader "European Preparedness Union" agenda, which seeks to align civil protection, health security and resilience policies and promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to crisis preparedness and response.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Vote on Proposals for Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions for the 2027 EU Budget - Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
On 17 March 2026, ENVI Members will vote on proposals for Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPAs) to be submitted to the Commission for preliminary assessment. Each year, the EU budgetary procedure allows Members to propose PPPAs. This year, ENVI Members tabled two pilot projects and one preparatory action covering a range of environmental issues.One pilot project aims to support municipalities in improving coexistence with urban wild animals by promoting information sharing, best practices, and humane management approaches. Another pilot project aims to strengthen a "culture of preparedness" by developing a methodology to assess citizens' awareness of risks and hazards, helping authorities design more targeted preparedness policies. The preparatory action, BESTBelt Connect, builds on previous initiatives along the European Green Belt - a 12,500 km ecological corridor spanning much of the European continent. It aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation for biodiversity protection and contribute to the development of a Trans-European Network for Nature (TEN-N) to support resilient rural economies. If approved, the ENVI PPPAs will be submitted to the Commission for preliminary assessment. After this evaluation (expected by mid-June 2026), these proposals may be tabled as budgetary amendments for final approval in July 2026.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Exchange of views with Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP - Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
On 17 March 2026, ENVI members will hold an exchange of views with Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Program and UN Under-Secretary-General on global negotiations in the field of environment. The discussion will focus on the state of play of key international environmental negotiations and upcoming global milestones in biodiversity, climate and ocean governance as well the environmental action in the current geopolitical context.The dialogue will cover preparations for CBD COP17 in Yerevan in October 2026, which will review implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and address biodiversity finance and the phase-out of environmentally harmful subsidies. Members will also discuss ongoing negotiations on the global legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, with the next round expected in late 2026 or 2027, as well as the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, whose first COP is anticipated at the end of 2026 or early 2027. The exchange will further touch upon preparations for COP31 in Antalya in November 2026 and the UN80 reform initiative to strengthen and streamline the UN system in response to current global challenges. Given the highly tense geopolitical context, Members may enquire about UNEP's vision on strengthening strategic autonomy, for example by tackling resource dependencies with renewable energies or circular economy.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Commission’s presentation of CBAM and the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund proposals - Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
On 17 March 2026, the Commission will present to ENVI Members a proposal to strengthen the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), aimed at closing loopholes, preventing circumvention and reinforcing its effectiveness in addressing carbon leakage. Another proposal put forward by the Commission is aimed at introducing a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund to support EU producers facing competitiveness challenges in export markets.The first proposal includes extending CBAM's scope from 2028 to around 180 steel- and aluminium-intensive downstream products, mainly industrial machinery, specialised equipment and some household goods, ensuring a level playing field with EU producers subject to the EU ETS. The package also strengthens anti-circumvention measures based on lessons from the transitional phase. It introduces enhanced reporting requirements, tools to address potential misdeclaration of emission intensities, and incorporates pre-consumer steel and aluminium scrap into CBAM emissions calculations to ensure fair carbon pricing for EU and imported goods. In parallel, the Commission proposes establishing a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund to support EU producers of CBAM goods facing carbon leakage risks in export markets. The fund would reimburse part of their EU ETS carbon costs and would be financed through 25% of Member States' revenues from CBAM certificate sales in 2026-2027.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP