This Week in Hospitality & Retail — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Major reform of food supply chain rules enters force; new limits for contaminants in infant foods set; cross-sectoral aid to Dutch aviation; new hemp and AI rules adopted.
July 26, 2026 to August 01, 2026
Major reform of food supply chain rules enters force; new limits for contaminants in infant foods set; cross-sectoral aid to Dutch aviation; new hemp and AI rules adopted.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission starts enforcing AI Act rules and new transparency requirements on 2 August
The European Commission announced that enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2024/1680 (AI Act) begins on 2 August 2026. The AI Office, under the oversight of Professor Alessandro Abate, will coordinate enforcement, focusing initially on transparency obligations for AI-generated content, required labelling for deepfakes, and documentation of training data by general-purpose AI model providers. New rules prohibit certain AI systems, including those manipulating users or exploiting vulnerabilities. The enforcement task is shared between the AI Office for GPAI models, national authorities, and the European Data Protection Supervisor (for EU institutions' use of AI). Complaint and whistleblower tools have been made available. Full obligations for high-risk AI systems will take effect in December 2027 or August 2028, following the timeline established by the AI Omnibus Regulation.
Commission approves €290 million Dutch State aid to support sustainable aviation fuels
The Commission approved two Dutch State aid schemes totaling €290 million to support sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, the 2022 CEEAG, and 2025 Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework. Aid will be distributed for projects producing advanced bio-SAF (non-HEFA) and synthetic aviation fuels ('e-SAF') from 2027 to 2031, aiming to produce 285 kilotonnes of SAF annually. The schemes incentivise technological development while requiring compliance with EU renewable fuel and sustainability criteria. Decisions are registered under SA.121979 and SA.123605.
Commission sends Statement of Grounds to Temu over possible obstruction of inspection under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation
The European Commission has issued a Statement of Grounds to Temu (PDD Holdings Inc. and its EU subsidiary WhaleCo Technology Ltd.) regarding alleged obstruction of a December 2025 inspection in Dublin under Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation). The Commission states Temu did not provide required information and documents relating to its activities, IT systems, and business records within the EU, which may constitute infringement of Article 14 FSR. The procedure could lead to financial penalties if findings are confirmed.
Commission seeks feedback on proposed amendments to regional State aid guidelines
The Commission has launched a public consultation on amendments to the Guidelines on regional State aid to update criteria for the 2028–2034 period. The initiative takes account of new socio-economic data and addresses challenges faced by eastern EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. National and regional authorities are especially invited to respond before 30 September 2026. Adoption of the revised guidelines is expected by end-2026 to allow Member States to draw up new regional aid maps.
Commission endorses Malta's €60 million Social Climate Plan to support vulnerable households and small companies in the clean transition
Malta's €60.6 million Social Climate Plan, including €45.4 million in EU funding, received Commission endorsement as the fourth national Social Climate Plan under Regulation (EU) 2023/955 on the Social Climate Fund. Covering the 2026–2032 period, Malta's plan will finance renovations to improve energy efficiency for vulnerable households, expand sustainable public transport for 30,000 at-risk users, and support e-mobility for micro-enterprises. Expected emission reductions are 3,500 tonnes CO₂ equivalent.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1739 strengthens farmers’ position in the food supply chain
Regulation (EU) 2026/1739, adopted 8 July 2026 and published 29 July 2026, amends Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, 2021/2115, and 2021/2116 to reinforce the bargaining power of farmers and producer organisations in the food supply chain. It creates EU-wide rules on commercial terms such as 'fair', 'equitable', and 'short supply chain', introduces new requirements for written contracts in agricultural deliveries (including for milk, milk products, and sugar beet), and reserves specific meat-related terms for products derived from animal sources, effective from 2029. Additionally, it increases support for producer organisations and raises the maximum share of production subject to collective bargaining.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 sets new maximum levels for furan and methylfurans in infant and baby foods
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890, amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915, establishes new maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran, and 3-methylfuran in processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children and in baby food. The regulation, adopted 29 July 2026, requires compliance from 1 January 2028 with a transitional period for products already lawfully placed on the market. The measure follows findings by the EFSA CONTAM Panel and recent notifications through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825: new limits for 3-MCPD and glycidyl fatty acid esters in baby food
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 amends Regulation (EU) 2023/915 to specify maximum permitted levels of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, and glycidyl fatty acid esters in baby food, processed cereal-based food for infants, and vegetable oils/fats for their production. The new limits must be applied from 1 January 2027, following analysis of new occurrence data and EFSA opinions.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1828 sets THC limits in hemp leaves and infusions
Regulation (EU) 2026/1828, effective 1 January 2027, amends Regulation (EU) 2023/915 by introducing maximum levels for the sum of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and Δ9-THCA, expressed as Δ9-THC equivalents, in hemp leaves for water infusion and related products. The measure considers recent EFSA exposure assessments and market trends in hemp-derived foods.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1893 suspends commercial rebalancing measures with the United States
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1893, adopted 30 July 2026, suspends the EU’s commercial rebalancing measures against certain US products (initially imposed by Regulation (EU) 2025/1564) in light of continued progress under the 2025 EU–US Joint Statement and recent US tariff adjustments. The suspension takes effect from 7 August 2026 and supports ongoing bilateral trade normalisation.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1902 authorises Ireland to apply reduced excise duty to commercial gas oil for road transport
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1902, dated 28 July 2026, permits Ireland to temporarily apply excise rates on commercial gas oil below the minimum required by Directive 2003/96/EC. The measure responds to sustained energy price increases affecting transport operators and is valid through 30 September 2026.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1510: EU signs Strategic Partnership with Mexico
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1510, adopted 11 May 2026, authorises the signing and provisional application of a new Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mexico. The agreement aims to deepen political dialogue, open new trade and investment opportunities (including for SMEs), and support sustainable development.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1871 registers 'Aceite de las Sierras Espadán y Calderona' as PDO
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1871, issued 22 July 2026, registers 'Aceite de las Sierras Espadán y Calderona' as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the Union register under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, following the absence of opposition and completion of all procedural steps.
What We're Reading This Week
- Summer 2026: Ferragosto brings 17.5m tourists to Italy and €9bn in direct spend: Italy welcomes a record 17.5 million Ferragosto tourists in summer 2026, generating €9 billion in direct tourism revenue.
- Inside the stylish revamp of Venice’s Danieli Four Seasons Hotel: Venice’s iconic Danieli Hotel unveils a luxurious transformation, blending historic grandeur with contemporary Four Seasons elegance.
- The hottest new hotels in Madrid you need to know about in 2026: Madrid's hotel scene is set to expand in 2026 with a wave of innovative luxury openings and unique accommodations.
- Bookings spike for solar eclipse in Europe. How to still get a room: Surging demand for lodgings near prime eclipse viewing spots leaves few vacancies, but alternative options may still be available.
