This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission authorises use of biocides for cultural heritage in multiple Member States; new geographical indications for Flanders Red Ale and Aceite Valle del Tiétar; ESS ERIC statutes updated.
September 28, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Commission authorises use of biocides for cultural heritage in multiple Member States; new geographical indications for Flanders Red Ale and Aceite Valle del Tiétar; ESS ERIC statutes updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission permits biocidal products for cultural heritage protection in Italy, France, Poland, Latvia, Czechia, and Slovakia
The European Commission adopted several Implementing Decisions between 24 and 29 September 2026, allowing Italy, France, Poland, Latvia, Czechia, and Slovakia to authorise biocidal products containing either sulfuryl fluoride or ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage (Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2026/2142, 2026/2132, 2026/2146, 2026/2125, 2026/2150, 2026/2153). These decisions were made under Article 55(3) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, following applications by Member States citing the essential need to control harmful organisms threatening archives, artefacts and historical buildings. The Commission found that, in each case, no appropriate alternatives were available, and authorised use is limited to specific cultural heritage applications, such as large non-movable objects or archive materials. The permitted use is strictly regulated, to be undertaken by trained professionals in controlled environments, and is time-limited (until 2031 for most cases). The decisions address both the preservation of valuable materials and the occupational and environmental safety requirements associated with these substances.
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EU Legislation (Official Journal)
New geographical indications registered: Flanders Red Ale (PGI) and Aceite Valle del Tiétar (PDO)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2168 of 22 September 2026 registers 'Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale' as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), following Belgium’s application under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. No opposition was received during the publication period, and the name is now entered in the Union register. Similarly, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2167 registers 'Aceite Valle del Tiétar' as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Spain. Both regulations take effect twenty days after publication in the Official Journal.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Statutes of the European Social Survey ERIC amended
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2166 of 29 September 2026 amends the statutes of the European Social Survey as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ESS ERIC). The amendment follows a proposal submitted on 9 October 2025 under Article 11(1) of Regulation (EC) No 723/2009. The Commission found the amendment compliant after consultation with the relevant committee.
EU Council
Justice and Home Affairs Council discusses civil society and journalist protection
On 2 October 2026, justice ministers adopted conclusions to combat racism and related forms of hatred and discrimination. The Council also debated a stronger mandate for Eurojust and exchanged views on measures for civil society and journalist protection.
What We're Reading This Week
- From ocean waste to fabric: inside Spain’s sustainable fashion revolution: Spanish innovators transform ocean plastic into eco-friendly textiles, signaling a major shift toward sustainability in the fashion industry.
- One in Russia, the other in Ukraine: The Moreau brothers, divided by war: The Moreau brothers find themselves on opposing sides of the conflict, highlighting how war can split families across national lines.
