This Week in Healthcare — Brussels (#16, 2026)
EP adopts new chemical product rules; Parliament and Council set negotiation path on carcinogens directive; EU acts on biocidal product authorisation; Avian influenza emergency measures updated.
April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026
EP adopts new chemical product rules; Parliament and Council set negotiation path on carcinogens directive; EU acts on biocidal product authorisation; Avian influenza emergency measures updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 04, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; Amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC; Amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Exchange of views with the Commission on the Implementation of the EU Taxonomy Regulation (Scrutiny session).
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordination of social security systems.
- Committee on Public Health (SANT): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Conclusion of a broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation.
European Commission
Commission refers seven Member States to Court over failure to transpose Directive on critical entities resilience
On 28 April 2026, the European Commission decided to refer Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the Directive on the resilience of critical entities (CER Directive). The CER Directive, which covers sectors including health, requires Member States to implement measures ensuring the uninterrupted provision of essential services and conduct regular risk assessments. The deadline for transposition was 17 October 2024; these Member States have not yet notified complete national measures. The Commission is requesting the Court to impose financial sanctions.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Union authorisation granted for Lactic Acid biocidal product family
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/900, adopted on 24 April 2026, grants a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘Lactic Acid Product Family’ in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. The authorisation, valid from 17 May 2026 to 30 April 2036, covers use and market availability in all Member States. The authorisation follows an assessment by the European Chemicals Agency and applies to product-types 2 and 4, with L-(+)-lactic acid as the active substance.
Avian influenza: Emergency measures updated for affected Member States
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/998 of 27 April 2026 amends the Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447, updating emergency measures related to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Denmark. The amendments adjust protection and surveillance zones and extend the duration of restrictions in specified regions. These measures are intended to limit the spread of the disease and safeguard public and animal health.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts position on extension of data protection for biocidal products
On 28 April 2026, the European Parliament voted on amendments to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the extension of certain data protection periods for biocidal products. The report by Pierfrancesco Maran, debated and voted in the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, addresses incentives for innovation and regulatory certainty for the biocides sector.
Parliament approves simplification of chemical product procedures
On 29 April 2026, the Parliament adopted the report on simplifying requirements and procedures for chemical products, amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009, and (EU) 2019/1009. Rapporteurs Dimitris Tsiodras and Piotr Müller led the process in the ENVI and IMCO committees.
EP Committee Work
Parliament prepares for negotiations on revised Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reprotoxic Substances Directive
On 29 April 2026, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) announced Parliament's readiness to enter interinstitutional negotiations with the Council on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD). Rapporteur Liesbet Sommen (EPP, BE) presented the mandate, which includes new occupational exposure limits for substances such as cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 1,4-dioxane, and specifies protective measures for at-risk professions.
SANT Committee schedules session on health emergency preparedness and funding
On 30 April 2026, the Committee on Public Health (SANT) announced an upcoming meeting on 6 May to discuss the European Competitiveness Fund, structured dialogue with Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, and priorities for health emergency preparedness and medical countermeasures. The session will also feature exchanges with DG HERA and health science experts.
What We're Reading This Week
- Severe Asthma: It’s Time to Act for Patients — and Health Systems: Urgent action is needed to improve severe asthma care, reducing patient suffering and easing strain on health systems.
- EU Parliament pushes for a consent-based definition of rape: EU lawmakers advocate for laws requiring explicit consent to define and prosecute rape across member states.
