This Week in Construction & Housing — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission fines Kingspan €40m for misleading merger info; 46 new Critical Raw Materials projects announced; EEA Joint Committee adopts CBAM amendments; Nordkalk QL 0-2 biocidal product authorisation cancelled.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission fines Kingspan €40m for misleading merger info; 46 new Critical Raw Materials projects announced; EEA Joint Committee adopts CBAM amendments; Nordkalk QL 0-2 biocidal product authorisation cancelled.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Regional Development (REGI): On October 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Annual joint REGI-COTER meeting“Keeping Cohesion at the Heart of Europe’s Future”(see a separate programme).
European Commission
Commission fines Kingspan €40 million for providing incorrect and misleading information during merger investigation
The European Commission has imposed a €40 million fine on Kingspan for providing incorrect and misleading information during its 2021 merger investigation regarding Kingspan's planned acquisition of Trimo. The investigation, initiated in November 2022 under the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR), revealed four distinct infringements, including misleading data on penetration rates, bidding records, board involvement, and research and development activities in the mineral fibre sandwich panel market. Following Statements of Objections in March and supplementary objections later, the Commission concluded Kingspan's breach was at least negligent, leading to obstruction in the merger review process. The transaction was abandoned in April 2022. This marks the fourth instance of fines issued for similar infringements since the EUMR's inception, with previous cases involving Facebook, General Electric, and Sigma-Aldrich. The public case register lists this under case number M.10962.AP.
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects to bolster the EU's supply of critical raw materials
The European Commission has announced the selection of 46 new Strategic Projects across 16 Member States, under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), aiming to enhance EU supply chain resilience and meet extraction, processing, and recycling capacity targets for strategic raw materials by 2030. The projects span extraction, processing, recycling, and integrated operations, covering 15 of 17 critical materials, with strong implications for battery, defence, aerospace, and permanent magnet value chains. The current list joins 47 previously selected EU projects and 13 in third countries. Progress is observed in environmental assessments and construction permitting, facilitated by streamlined procedures via Member States' Single Points of Contact. The Commission will launch another call for project applications by late 2026. Financial support mobilised to date exceeds €2 billion, with projects expected to require €21.1 billion in total capital investment.
Questions and answers on the Critical Raw Materials strategic projects
The Commission provided detailed information on the criteria and benefits of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act, including streamlined permitting, access to financing, and support for supply chain connections. By 2030, benchmarks target at least 10% extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling of EU annual strategic raw materials consumption, with no more than 65% dependency from a single third country. Member States have established Single Points of Contact, ensuring permitting for extraction projects does not exceed 27 months and for other projects 15 months. Of projects selected in 2025, 25 have completed environmental impact assessments and 17 have obtained construction permits. The Commission is also developing an EU CRM Centre and will facilitate further financing and supply chain connections.
NextGenerationEU shows strong delivery record as implementation reaches finish line
The Commission released its fifth annual report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), noting €450 billion disbursed in grants and loans, with 80% of requested funds allocated. Member States had until 31 August 2026 to fulfil reforms and investment milestones under their recovery plans, with final payment requests under assessment. The RRF is credited with advancing digital and green transitions, including broadband expansion, renewable energy installations, and labour market reforms. The Facility has supported nearly 6,000 targets, with €140 billion for digitalisation and €287 billion for climate objectives. The report, in line with Article 31 of the RRF Regulation, includes data up to 31 August 2026, and identifies continued progress in public administration and justice reform.
Eurobarometer shows consumers' growing trust in EU Ecolabel
The latest Eurobarometer survey, published for World Ecolabel Day, indicates increased consumer trust and recognition for the EU Ecolabel, with 81% of respondents confident in its environmental impact and 46% recognising its logo. The survey, conducted from 31 August to 6 September 2026 across the 27 Member States, shows 121,083 EU Ecolabel products covered by 3,665 licences as of September 2026. The label is used in procurement procedures under the proposed EU Public Procurement Act and is widely adopted across product categories. The survey reflects rising demand for eco-labelled detergents, textiles, and cosmetics, and highlights the central role of SMEs, who hold 62% of licences.
Questions and answers on the pre-enlargement policy reviews
The Commission released its Communication 'Preparing for a wider Union,' outlining policy and operational steps for future EU enlargements. The review identifies priority actions in governance, values, policies, and budget, and recommends use of Treaty mechanisms such as passerelle clauses and enhanced cooperation. Safeguards against backsliding on commitments are proposed for accession treaties, including sectoral and institutional remedies with possible suspension of voting rights. Financing for enlargement is set within the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, with objective-based instruments linking payments to reforms. Gradual integration for candidate countries is mapped, providing access to strategic sectors ahead of accession. Roadmaps for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine will be presented if reform momentum continues.
Commission adopts proposal to accelerate standards development and improve EU competitiveness
The Commission proposed revisions to Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 on European standardisation to speed up standard development, reduce average timelines from six to four years, and enhance participation of SMEs, civil society, and public authorities. The proposal introduces clearer deadlines, allows interim deliverables, and expands use of external technical specifications. It codifies court rulings mandating free access to standards referenced in EU law. The Commission aims to strengthen international coordination, promote EU interests in global standardisation bodies, and create an Expert Centre on European Standardisation. The proposal will be examined by the European Parliament and Council prior to adoption.
Questions and answers on the new Standardisation Regulation
The Commission clarified the scope and impact of the new Standardisation Regulation, highlighting reduced standard development times, free access to harmonised standards, and increased support for SMEs. The public-private partnership model involving CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, and national bodies remains central. The regulation allows for Commission standardisation requests to designated organisations and introduces binding deadlines, performance indicators, and digital monitoring. Harmonised standards referenced in EU legislation will be freely accessible. The regulation also emphasizes international cooperation, notably with ISO, IEC, and ITU, while transition periods for implementation will be set in the final act.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2240 amending Annex XX (Environment) to the EEA Agreement (CBAM)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2240 of 24 September 2026 sets the Union's position within the EEA Joint Committee concerning amendments to Annex XX (Environment) to the EEA Agreement, incorporating Regulation (EU) 2023/956 (establishing the carbon border adjustment mechanism, CBAM) and Regulation (EU) 2025/2083 (amending CBAM). The decision aims to align EEA environmental provisions with recent CBAM developments and enters into force on the date of adoption. CELEX ID: 32026D2240.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2199 cancelling the Union authorisation for Nordkalk QL 0-2
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2199 of 2 October 2026 cancels the Union authorisation for Nordkalk QL 0-2, a biocidal product, under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. The authorisation holder Nordkalk AB requested cancellation due to discontinued production. Regulation (EU) 2024/1481 is repealed, and grace periods are set: market availability ceases 25 April 2027, use ceases 25 October 2027. CELEX ID: 32026R2199.
Agreement between the EU and Morocco amending PRIMA participation terms
An Exchange of Letters between the EU and Morocco amends and supplements the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, aligning Morocco's participation in PRIMA with Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as amended by Decision (EU) 2024/1167. It integrates mutual assistance arrangements for audits and investigations, and applies provisionally pending formal entry into force. CELEX ID: 32026A2218.
EU Council
Informal meeting of ministers for development (Foreign Affairs Council)
Ministers for development met for an informal Foreign Affairs Council on 8 October 2026. No summary was available.
