This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#34, 2026)
Von der Leyen addresses Leipzig attack; Euro 7 brake emissions test conditions amended; EU-Swiss ETS linking agreement updated; Amending budget 2026 adopted.
August 30, 2026 to September 05, 2026
Von der Leyen addresses Leipzig attack; Euro 7 brake emissions test conditions amended; EU-Swiss ETS linking agreement updated; Amending budget 2026 adopted.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
European Commission
Commission President Responds to Leipzig Cargo Plane Attack
On 1 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte concerning Russia's attempted attack on cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German authorities attributed the act to Russian operatives, characterising it as an escalation involving military-grade equipment targeting EU infrastructure. Von der Leyen affirmed EU solidarity with Germany and stated the Commission is assessing further sanctions to counter Russia's actions. The Commission is coordinating rapid response mechanisms and reviewing additional defensive strategies to protect critical transport infrastructure. The context includes ongoing discussions on Ukraine's request for EU financial support for air defence systems. Von der Leyen also referenced recent Commission work on the FREYA missile defence project and ongoing loans supporting Ukrainian logistics and defence.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Brake Particle Emission Test Conditions Aligned with New UN Standard
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1214, published on 3 September 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 on vehicle type-approval, updating conditions for testing brake particle emission limits. The regulation replaces the previous reference to UN Global Technical Regulation No 24 with the newer UN Regulation No 179, reflecting developments in laboratory measurement methodology for light-duty vehicle brake emissions. The amendment harmonises EU testing standards for PM10, PM2.5, and particle numbers, and covers vehicles of categories M1, N1, and Euro 7ext. The changes are effective from the twentieth day following publication in the Official Journal.
Amending Budget for Financial Year 2026 Definitively Adopted
Definitive adoption (EU, Euratom) 2026/1855 of Amending budget No 1 for the EU financial year 2026 was published in the Official Journal on 3 September 2026. This legislative act completes the procedure under Article 314 of the Treaty, following approvals by the Council and European Parliament. The budget incorporates revisions to EU financial rules and own resources, as detailed in Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and Council Decision 2020/2053.
EU-Swiss Emissions Trading Systems Linking Agreement Updated
On 4 September 2026, Decision No 1/2026 of the Joint Committee amends Annex I of the EU-Swiss greenhouse gas emissions trading systems linking agreement. The update reflects revisions to Directive 2003/87/EC, including changes from Directives (EU) 2023/958 and 2023/959, ensuring system compatibility and market integrity. The decision entered into force upon adoption, signed by Committee officials Ruben Vermeeren, Beatriz Yordi, and Thomas Meier.
