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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13654
Contents Publication in full By article 11 / 34
SECTORAL POLICIES / Environment

Director of European Chemicals Agency sidesteps fundamental issues when facing MEPs

“The political aspects are not our responsibility”. “We want to have the best scientific advice to pass on”. “It’s not for me to prejudge scientific opinion” etc. When invited to talk to MEPs at the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on Wednesday 4 June, the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Sharon McGuiness, did not answer the substance of the questions put to her by the MEPs.

She barely mentioned the future of ECHA, whose forthcoming...

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
TRANSPORT: European ministers reach last-minute agreement on air passenger rights
TRANSPORT: negotiations on increasing weight and dimensions of lorries in EU still stalling over impact on road infrastructure
SEA: European Commission to propose an Ocean Act in 2027
DIGITAL: to boost EU’s technological competitiveness, European Commission wants to focus on strategic alliances
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: EU cybersecurity and network infrastructure resilience on agenda of informal meeting of European telecommunications ministers
MIGRATION: list of ‘safe third countries of origin’ - Polish Presidency of Council of EU launches examination of proposal
HOME AFFAIRS: online child sexual abuse material; lack of progress prompts Polish Presidency of EU Council to recommend extending transitional solution
HOME AFFAIRS: new EUDA drugs report highlights increased availability of new synthetic drugs in EU
JUSTICE: transposition of environmental crime directive requires coordination, whistleblower protection and resources
CONSUMERS: BEUC files complaint against Shein with European Commission for “misleading” and “unfair” commercial practices
ENVIRONMENT: Director of European Chemicals Agency sidesteps fundamental issues when facing MEPs
HEALTH: Olivér Várhelyi hopes for agreement between EU institutions on pharmaceutical package and critical medicines in 2025
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: defence ministers adopt new capability goals
EXTERNAL ACTION
SYRIA: European Commission proposes a strategic partnership with Syria
RUSSIA: Russia’s democratic opposition calls on EU to provide more support to civil society
TRADE: European Commission launches an import surveillance tool
TRADE: EU has opportunity to rapidly conclude “leaner” trade agreements, according to Maroš Šefčovič
MERCOSUR: France, Austria and Hungary express their concerns about impact of EU/Mercosur agreement on European agriculture
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECB: European Monetary Institute in good position to face up to uncertainties
FINANCE: 7 EU countries launch European savings label
FINANCE: social democrats in European Parliament welcome “good proposals” on simplification of future ‘FiDA’ financial data sharing framework
STATE AID: public consultation on including affordable housing in EU rules governing services of general economic interest
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: defence spending shortfall levy, widespread recourse to debt... experts’ ideas for own resources for EU budget
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: female genital mutilation - faced with scale of problem, MEPs say that directive against gender-based violence is not enough
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
ENVIRONMENT: Greece condemned for failing to fulfil its obligations in relation to management of 14 river basin districts and associated flood risks
GENDER EQUALITY: according to CJEU advocate general, Hungary’s law restricting access to LGBTIQ+ content violates EU law
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
JUSTICE: Council of Europe calls on states to strengthen independence of judiciary and increase transparency in political funding
NEWS BRIEFS
INSURANCE: industry report reveals majority of young Europeans think taking out insurance is “paperwork-heavy”
EMPLOYMENT: Committee on Employment and Social Affairs validates political agreement reached on revision of European Works Councils
ENVIRONMENT: EU Council definitively approves new protection status of wolf under Habitats Directive
INDUSTRY: US tariffs worsen economic forecasts for steel sector
EMU: Paschal Donohoe “looking forward” to welcoming Bulgaria into euro area at start of 2026
UKRAINE: EU exempts Kyiv from steel safeguards for further three years
Op-Ed
SEA: a call for lasting EU leadership in ocean governance - by Pascal Lamy, Geneviève Pons, Tiago Pitta e Cunha