Assistant lawyer Eliza Belova complied the material.
Defence, trade & consumer goods
EU and Australia conclude Security & Defence Partnership and reach free trade agreement
Published: 24 March 2026
The EU and Australia have announced a new Security and Defence Partnership and finalised negotiations on an ambitious, balanced EU-Australia free trade agreement (FTA), marking a significant deepening of political, security and economic ties.
The partnership establishes structured cooperation on crisis management, maritime security, cyber resilience, hybrid threats and defence dialogues, while the FTA strengthens rules‑based trade and opens new opportunities for businesses in both markets.
See also: press release.
Defence
Commission presents €115 million AGILE programme to accelerate defence innovation
Published: 25 March 2026
The European Commission has introduced AGILE, a new €115 million funding instrument aimed at rapidly moving disruptive defence technologies such as AI, quantum solutions and drones from research to deployment. The programme will offer fast and flexible support with up to 100% funding for 20–30 projects, targeting SMEs, start‑ups and scale‑ups that can deliver high‑speed technological breakthroughs.
See also: press release.
Data & tech
Commission launches investigation into Snapchat under the Digital Services Act
Published: 26 March 2026
The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings to examine whether Snapchat meets its obligations under the Digital Services Act to protect minors online. The investigation will assess risks linked to harmful content exposure, inadequate age-verification mechanisms and the effectiveness of safeguards designed to ensure children’s safety and privacy. Depending on the outcome, the Commission may require corrective measures or impose penalties if non-compliance is confirmed.
See also: press release.
Trade & consumer goods
Commission and national consumer authorities find that one in three traders committed infringements during Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Published: 26 March 2026
The Commission and national consumer authorities have identified that one in three online traders displayed discounts incorrectly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, failing to comply with EU pricing transparency requirements. The sweep also uncovered misleading sales tactics such as added basket items without consent, unclear price comparisons, pressure‑selling claims and hidden fees, all of which can distort consumer decisions and breach EU consumer law. National authorities may now take enforcement action against non‑compliant businesses across the EU.
See also: press release.
Insolvency & restructuring
The Official Journal has published Directive (EU) 2026/799 harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law
Published: 30 March 2026
The Council of the European Union has given final approval to new EU‑wide rules harmonising key aspects of insolvency proceedings, aiming to reduce legal fragmentation across Member States and make the internal market more attractive for cross‑border investment. The directive establishes minimum standards on issues such as avoidance actions, asset tracing, pre‑pack sales and directors’ duties to enhance efficiency and creditor recoveries in insolvency cases.
See also: press release.
Energy
The Official Journal has published the agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty
Published: 27 March 2026
The Official Journal has published the agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), setting out the EU and its Member States’ common understanding that the ECT does not and has never applied to intra‑EU investment disputes. The agreement clarifies the legal effects of Articles 26 and 47(3) ECT by confirming that investor-state arbitration cannot be relied on within the EU and that the treaty’s “survival clause” has no relevance in intra‑EU relations, thereby strengthening legal certainty following the CJEU Komstroy judgment.
Commission proposes measures to reinforce stability and predictability of the EU carbon market
Published: 1 April 2026
The European Commission has proposed an amendment to the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) to strengthen the functioning of the EU Emissions Trading System by ending the automatic invalidation of allowances above the 400‑million threshold and instead retaining them as a market‑stabilising buffer. This change aims to ensure a more agile and resilient ETS in light of recent energy price volatility and geopolitical pressures, while maintaining the system’s rules‑based integrity and ability to support Europe’s decarbonisation pathway.
See also: press release.
