This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#27, 2026)
Commission launches Electrification Action Plan; ETS review proposed for 2040 target; Council revises Research Fund for Coal and Steel; Parliament committees debate affordable housing, regional development.
July 12, 2026 to July 18, 2026
Commission launches Electrification Action Plan; ETS review proposed for 2040 target; Council revises Research Fund for Coal and Steel; Parliament committees debate affordable housing, regional development.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission launches Electrification Action Plan to boost competitiveness and housing decarbonisation
The European Commission published its Electrification Action Plan alongside a review of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) on 16 July 2026. President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, and Commissioners Wopke Hoekstra and Dan Jørgensen stated the plan aims to raise the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 46% by 2040, with a focus on buildings, industry, and transport. The proposal sets an updated Linear Reduction Factor for the ETS and mandates Member States to reinvest 50% of ETS revenues in decarbonisation of covered sectors. Provisions include creating the €100bn Industrial Decarbonisation Bank and an ETS Investment Booster. The Commission proposes legal changes to network charges, reduced electricity taxation, accelerated smart meter rollout, targeted schemes for heat pump installation, and a Clean Heat Market mechanism. Housing renovations and the electrification of buildings feature as central elements for reducing energy bills and dependence on fossil fuels.
Commission registers European Citizens’ Initiative on access to housing
On 16 July, the European Commission registered the European Citizens' Initiative 'Right to Housing! Now and Forever'. Organisers call for EU action to ensure affordable, sustainable housing, proposing regulation of short-term rentals, conversion of vacant buildings, enforceable affordability standards, and the creation of an EU Housing Agency. The Commission found the initiative legally admissible under Regulation (EU) 2019/788 but makes no judgment on its substantive merits at this stage. If one million valid signatures are collected across at least seven Member States, the Commission will consider legislative proposals in response.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Implementation measures for Protocol No 37: Research Fund for Coal and Steel
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1545 of 29 June 2026 updates the management framework for the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), in line with Protocol No 37 annexed to the Treaties. The decision sets annual allocations up to EUR 120 million from 2027 to 2033 for research on coal and steel, with any remaining assets to be used from 2034. Criteria for financial management, liquidation of ECSC assets, and delegations of power to the Commission to adjust allocations by delegated acts are laid out. Decision 2003/76/EC is repealed.
Establishment of the RFCS Research Programme and technical guidelines
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1561 of 29 June 2026 establishes the Research Programme of the RFCS, technical guidelines, and financial rules for managing the Fund’s assets, repealing Decisions 2003/77/EC and 2008/376/EC. The multiannual programme targets industrial competitiveness and the transition in coal and steel regions, harmonises funding rules with Horizon Europe, and streamlines calls, eligibility, and grant procedures from 2027 to 2034. Legal entities from Member States and candidate countries may participate. Asset management rules ensure strategic allocation and ESG criteria.
Harmonised standards for digital product passports published
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 of 14 July 2026 recognises harmonised standards under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ecodesign), published in the Official Journal. Six EN standards drafted by CEN, Cenelec, and ETSI cover data and interoperability requirements for digital product passports, which affect construction, building materials, and related industries.
Digital product passport registry implementation arrangements adopted
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 of 16 July 2026 sets technical rules for the digital product passport registry, as required by Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The new framework defines data structure, verification requirements, responsibilities of economic operators, and technical details for construction products, among other groups. Provisions ensure the interoperability and long-term storage of passport data, with application to the construction sector as well as toys and detergents.
Due diligence simplification measures for deforestation-linked commodities
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1565 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 to further specify submission requirements for due diligence statements and simplified declarations related to Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (deforestation regulation). New rules address micro and small operators’ obligations, contingency procedures, and grouping of declarations, relevant for timber and building materials sectors.
EP Committee Work
Committee on the Housing Crisis: Debate and public hearing on affordable housing models
On 13 July 2026, the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS) held a session focusing on speculative practices by corporate landlords and real estate trusts, examining their impacts on housing prices and transactions (agenda item HOUS/10/06285). The committee was briefed by the Policy Department. In the subsequent public hearing, experts discussed cooperative and non-profit housing models, and regulatory simplification without compromising building standards (HOUS/10/06280).
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
Regional Development Committee: Just Transition Fund continuity for regions in transition
The Committee on Regional Development (REGI) convened a public hearing on 16 July 2026 titled 'Regions undergoing transition: ensuring the continuity of the Just Transition Fund and making sure no region is left behind.' Stakeholders from Polish and Irish regions presented lessons learned. The Committee also hosted exchanges on large EU funds for regional development, including opinion adoption on the European Social Fund for 2028–2034 (rapporteur: Nora Mebarek, S&D).
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
What We're Reading This Week
- British Steel taken into public ownership to protect 'vital' supply: UK government nationalizes British Steel to safeguard critical domestic steel supply and secure jobs in the industry.
