Trainee Erika Kiznis, legal assistants Povilas Virbašius and Viktorija Markovaite compiled the material.
Competition
European Commission adopts proposals to sign and conclude the EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement
Adopted: 20 May 2025
The Competition Cooperation Agreement will put in place a clear framework for cooperation on competition matters between, on the one side, the Commission and EU Member States’ competition authorities and, on the other side, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority when enforcing EU competition rules. It will set out that important antitrust and merger investigations are brought to each other’s attention.
Agriculture and rural development
Commission simplifies Common Agricultural Policy to support farmers and enhance competitiveness
Adopted: 14 May 2025
To simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and boost farmers’ competitiveness, the European Commission is presenting today a large package of measures targeting the administrative burden, controls, implementation, crisis response and investment needs of the sector. The changes could save up to €1.58 billion annually for farmers and €210 million for national administrations, while making payments, certain requirements, and crisis tools more flexible and easier to manage.
Employment
Freedom of movement: Council adopts a position to reduce red tape for posting of workers
Adopted: 22 May 2025
The Council has adopted its position (general approach) on the regulation to facilitate the e-declaration of posted workers. The regulation is expected to reduce the administrative burden for businesses by fully digitalising the submission of posting declarations and for national authorities by facilitating the monitoring of the compliance with the posting of workers directive.
Trade
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1003 of 24 January 2025 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards OTC derivatives identifying reference data to be used for the purposes of the transparency requirements laid down in Article 8a(2) and Articles 10 and 21
Approved: : 22 May 2025
The Council adopted today a decision on the conclusion of the United Nations ‘Mauritius’ Convention on transparency for Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). This decision will bring greater public access to documents and hearings, as well as the inclusion of civil society in disputes brought by investors against States under investment treaties.
EU launches import surveillance tool to tackle trade diversion
Published: 05 June 2025
The European Commission has introduced a new surveillance aimed at detecting and responding to sudden import surges that could harm EU industries. The system uses customs data to detect trade diversion and allows for quicker action to protect local businesses. A dedicated task force will oversee the tool. The Commission is also engaging with stakeholders and launching dialogue with China to track any potential risks.
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/912 of 19 May 2025 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards a uniform format for the national restoration plan
Published: 20 May 2025
The European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation that establishes a uniform format for national restoration plans under the Nature Restoration Regulation, which entered into force in August 2024. The uniform format is the central implementation tool for the Regulation. It will support Member States in their nature restoration planning and keep administrative burden as low as possible through pre-filling and a report-once approach, in line with the Commission’s commitment to simplification.
Space
Council approves conclusions requiring improved use of space data to enhance crisis management and civil protection
Adopted: 26 May 2025
The Council has today approved conclusions on the use of satellite data, in particular from Earth observation constellations, for civil protection and crisis management. The conclusions underline the importance of Earth observation and other space data for resilience and crisis preparedness, underline the need for enhanced cooperation and use of all available satellite data – public, private, and commercial – to better address climate change, disasters, and crises impacting European and global security, call for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies for better data processing and recommend security measures against possible threats (such as cyber-attacks).
Private Equity & Venture Capital
EU launches Startup and Scaleup Strategy to boost innovation and investment
Published: 28 May 2025
The European Commission unveiled the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy as part of the broader “Choose Europe” initiative. The strategy aims to make Europe a global hub for technology-driven startups and scaleups by addressing major barriers to growth, such as limited access to capital, regulatory fragmentation, and talent retention challenges. Some key measures include lifecycle support for startups, simplifying regulatory frameworks through the proposed European 28th regime and European Business Wallet, improved financing opportunities with the Scaleup Europe Fund, and better talent attraction via the Blue Carpet initiative.
