This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#23, 2026)
Commission approves Slovak cleantech State aid; Bulgaria receives RRF payment assessment; new EU rules for PPE and emissions trading; Council addresses housing and demographic trends.
June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026
Commission approves Slovak cleantech State aid; Bulgaria receives RRF payment assessment; new EU rules for PPE and emissions trading; Council addresses housing and demographic trends.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
Commission approves €1 billion State aid scheme for cleantech manufacturing in Slovakia
On 16 June 2026, the European Commission approved a €1 billion Slovak State aid scheme to support manufacturing capacity for clean technologies, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. The approval was granted under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025. The scheme will provide grants and income tax relief to eligible enterprises investing in cleantech capacity, supporting the transition to a net-zero economy. The measure will remain available until 31 December 2030. The non-confidential decision will be published under the case number SA.122800 in the State aid register.
Commission greenlights Bulgaria's fourth NextGenerationEU payment request
On 18 June 2026, the Commission approved Bulgaria’s fourth payment request for €1.1 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), having found 23 out of 26 milestones and targets satisfactorily completed. The reforms include anti-corruption legislation, decarbonisation in the energy sector, improved public transport, and energy efficiency upgrades. A National Fund for Decarbonisation has been established to support energy efficiency in buildings. One milestone concerning water supply legislation remains outstanding and Bulgaria has until 31 August 2026 to complete it. Pending the Economic and Financial Committee's opinion, a partial payment will be released for achieved milestones.
Joint institutional progress review on One Europe, One Market Roadmap
On 17 June 2026, the Commission, Parliament and Council conducted the first progress review of the 'One Europe, one Market' Roadmap and the Joint Declaration on legislative priorities for 2026. Quarterly reviews will monitor delivery and implementation. The institutions reiterated their commitment to completing the Single Market by end of 2027, aiming to strengthen competitiveness and prosperity. The Roadmap remains central for legislative planning and tracking results for European citizens and businesses.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1377 amends REACH wood creosote restrictions
Adopted 11 May 2026, Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1377 (CELEX: 32026D1377) retroactively extends France’s provisional measure restricting the use and placing on the market of certain wood treated with creosote under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) through 7 June 2028. The extension ensures continuity pending the finalisation of a revision procedure to update Annex XVII restrictions at EU level.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 establishes new harmonised PPE standards
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 of 12 June 2026 (CELEX: 32026D1279) publishes new and revised harmonised standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, and repeals Decision (EU) 2023/941. The update covers standards on helmets, gloves, and enhanced visibility equipment, setting new compliance dates for manufacturers.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1313 updates medical device labelling standards
Decision (EU) 2026/1313 of 15 June 2026 (CELEX: 32026D1313) amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1195 regarding harmonised symbols used on manufacturer-supplied information for in vitro diagnostic medical devices, in line with EN ISO 15223-1:2021/A1:2025. Full application takes effect from 17 June 2031, providing transition time for manufacturers.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/787 revises EU ETS auctioning rules
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/787 of 8 April 2026 (CELEX: 32026R0787) amends rules for the timing, administration, and operation of greenhouse gas emission allowance auctions under the EU Emissions Trading System. The changes address procedures for buildings and road transport allowances, update auction volume distribution, and specify provisions for Member State implementation.
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1312 on free allocation of ETS allowances 2026–2030
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1312 of 15 June 2026 (CELEX: 32026D1312) details national implementation measures for the transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances from 2026 to 2030, following review of Member States’ installation lists under Directive 2003/87/EC and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/331. Installations in all Member States, except for specific cases in Spain and Sweden, were confirmed eligible for free allocations.
EU Council
Employment and Social Affairs Council to conclude on housing and demographic trends
At the meeting scheduled for 29 June 2026, ministers are expected to adopt conclusions addressing cyber violence against girls and the interplay of demographic trends with housing policy. Discussions will include student and middle-income housing security and fair labour mobility.
EP Committee Work
BUDG Committee holds extraordinary session on RRF scrutiny
The Committee on Budgets met in Strasbourg on 15 June 2026 for an extraordinary session, including a Recovery and Resilience Dialogue with Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. Agenda items featured consideration of fact-finding mission reports by the BUDG-ECON working group on Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) oversight in Croatia and Portugal.
