This Week in Hospitality & Retail — Brussels (#28, 2026)
€550m DSA fine for AliExpress; Google fined €890m under DMA; TikTok faces DSA breach findings; Latvia's €617m Social Climate Plan endorsed; new CAP wine sector reporting rules; organic imports regulation amended.
July 19, 2026 to July 25, 2026
€550m DSA fine for AliExpress; Google fined €890m under DMA; TikTok faces DSA breach findings; Latvia's €617m Social Climate Plan endorsed; new CAP wine sector reporting rules; organic imports regulation amended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
European Commission
Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for breaching the Digital Services Act
On 19 July 2026, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for breaching its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision followed failures by AliExpress in risk assessment and mitigation related to the sale of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform. Key findings included insufficient staff for moderation, ineffective detection systems, and inadequate enforcement against sellers of illegal goods. AliExpress' risk assessments lacked relevant quantitative metrics, and controls did not prevent recirculation of prohibited products. The Commission ordered corrective actions, requiring an action plan by 20 October 2026, with oversight by the European Board for Digital Services. The formal investigation began on 14 March 2024, and preliminary findings were issued in June 2025.
Commission fines Google €890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act
On 22 July 2026, the European Commission sanctioned Google for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), imposing fines of €460 million for self-preferencing on Google Search and €430 million for anti-steering rules in Google Play. Findings showed Google favoured its own services across shopping, hotels, and transport, and restricted app developers from offering consumers alternative purchase channels. The Commission ordered Google to implement measures addressing these breaches within 60 days, or risk further penalties. The investigation commenced on 25 March 2024, with preliminary non-compliance communicated in March 2025. Google’s compliance will be subject to ongoing monitoring.
Commission preliminary finds TikTok in breach of Digital Services Act for failing to ensure safe accounts for minors
On 23 July 2026, the Commission issued preliminary findings against TikTok, noting that account settings for minors do not meet the safety standards mandated by the Digital Services Act (DSA). Minors’ content can be widely viewed and recommended, including to users outside the platform, increasing risks related to privacy, unwanted contact, and cyberbullying. The Commission called for default privacy protections and refraining from recommending minors’ content in the 'For You Feed'. TikTok may reply and submit evidence before a final determination. The investigation, launched in February 2024, covers multiple issues including addictive design and advertising transparency.
Commission invites comments on draft new rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines
On 23 July 2026, the Commission launched a public consultation on proposed revisions to the Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty. The draft, aligning with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, incorporates changes such as including the steel sector, excluding certain startup losses from solvency tests, and recognising hybrid financial instruments. Stakeholders may submit comments by 4 September 2026. The adoption of the revised guidelines is scheduled for the end of 2026, ahead of the expiry of the current rules on 31 December 2026.
Commission endorses Latvia's €617 million Social Climate Plan
On 19 July 2026, the European Commission endorsed Latvia’s Social Climate Plan, the third such plan under the Social Climate Fund. The €617 million package (2026–2032) targets 17,000 households and 453,000 transport users, supporting energy efficiency upgrades and sustainable mobility, with grants for housing renovation and electric vehicle purchase. The plan addresses the impacts of extending emissions trading (ETS2) to buildings and road transport. Once initial milestones are met, Latvia can request payment from the Commission. Eight Member States have submitted plans to date.
European Pillar of Social Rights: a renewed commitment to protect and empower EU's citizens
On 21 July 2026, the Commission adopted a Communication reaffirming the European Pillar of Social Rights as the guiding framework for fairness and inclusion. The document details progress and future priorities: affordability and cost of living, harnessing AI for labour market transformation, and reducing inequalities. A first-phase consultation with social partners targets activation measures for people facing barriers to employment. The Commission announced plans for a Quality Jobs Act later in 2026 and new labour market indicators. The Pillar, adopted in 2017, has informed key social legislation including the Minimum Wage and Pay Transparency Directives.
Commission concludes eligibility checks for two European Citizens' Initiatives on digital identity and age-verification, and on migration and asylum
On 21 July 2026, the Commission registered the European Citizens’ Initiative 'Stop Killing The Internet: No Digital ID & No Age Verification,' which calls for voluntary, privacy-preserving digital identity and age-assurance systems. Conversely, the 'Save Europe Act' initiative seeking a moratorium on non-Western immigration was rejected for incompatibility with EU values set out in Article 2 TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as its proposed criteria were deemed discriminatory. Both decisions followed legal admissibility checks, not policy evaluations.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1749 amends conditions of use for the novel food galacto-oligosaccharide
Published 21 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1749 updates conditions for galacto-oligosaccharide under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. Changes include new authorised food categories and clarification of labelling and use levels. EFSA’s opinion of November 2025 supported the safety of expanded uses.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1752 revises wine sector data reporting for CAP monitoring
Regulation (EU) 2026/1752, published 21 July 2026, amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1475. Member States must now report data on new wine sector interventions, including permanent grubbing-up and pest prevention, for CAP Strategic Plans evaluation.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1789 adjusts organic import recognition lists
Adopted 23 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1789 revises Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2325, updating recognition of third countries, control bodies, and authorities for organic imports. Key amendments reflect changes notified by Argentina, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, Tunisia, and the United States.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1792 registers Mura / Murai (PDO) as a geographical indication
Published 22 July 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1792 registers 'Mura / Murai' (PDO) in the Union's geographical indications register. No opposition was received following Hungary's application, processed under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1775 authorises Croatia to temporarily reduce excise duty rates on motor fuels
Issued 20 July 2026, Council Decision (EU) 2026/1775 allows Croatia to lower excise duty rates for gas oil and unleaded petrol below EU minimums due to exceptional energy market conditions. The authorisation applies from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1776 authorises Belgium to apply reduced taxation rate to shore-side electricity for vessels
Published 21 July 2026, Decision (EU) 2026/1776 permits Belgium to apply a reduced electricity tax rate, in line with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC, for vessels (excluding private craft) berthed in ports. Authorisation spans 2027–2032.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1429 grants Union authorisation for Lyso IPA Hand Disinfection biocidal product family
Adopted 30 June 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1429 authorises Schuelke & Mayr GmbH to market Lyso IPA Hand Disinfection across the EU until September 2035. The approval follows assessment under Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 and opinion of the European Chemicals Agency.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1717 publishes harmonised standards for gas water heaters
Published 23 July 2026, Decision (EU) 2026/1717 lists harmonised standards for gas water heaters under Regulation (EU) No. 814/2013 and Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 812/2013. Standard EN 13203-1:2025 is included, ensuring compliance and safety.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1750 declines publication of harmonised standards for LPG appliances and boiling burners
Adopted 20 July 2026, Decision (EU) 2026/1750 declines publication of standards EN 17476:2021/A1:2022 and EN 497:2022 for LPG appliances, citing technical objections by Sweden and Germany. The standards failed to meet essential requirements under Regulation (EU) 2016/426.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1796 updates emergency measures for avian influenza outbreaks in Poland
Issued 20 July 2026, Decision (EU) 2026/1796 amends the annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447, setting new protection and surveillance zones after notification of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Łódzkie, Poland.
EU Council
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1414 concludes the EU–Lebanon PRIMA agreement amendment
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1414, adopted 21 April 2026, approves the agreement (exchange of letters) amending terms for Lebanon’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe.
