This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#34, 2026)
Steel import evidence rules updated; new standards for PPE, machinery; Euro 7 brake emissions test conditions amended; budget adopted; NextGenerationEU deadline met.
August 30, 2026 to September 05, 2026
Steel import evidence rules updated; new standards for PPE, machinery; Euro 7 brake emissions test conditions amended; budget adopted; NextGenerationEU deadline met.
📋 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 Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On September 10, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission approves German capacity mechanism to secure electricity supply
The European Commission approved a German capacity mechanism estimated at €15.6–€35.2 billion, intended to secure electricity supply from 2031 under EU State aid rules (Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, CEEAG 2022). The mechanism will be open to all generation technologies, storage, demand response, and cross-border capacity, with competitive auctions set for 2026 and 2027, and contracts up to 15 years. Supported capacity must be climate-neutral by 2045, with hydrogen-ready requirements for new gas-fired plants. Annual costs forecast between €0.9–€3 billion. Decarbonisation tenders for gas-to-hydrogen switches, not covered in the current approval, are scheduled through 2043. The decision (case SA.106805) will be published in the State aid register.
NextGenerationEU reaches implementation milestone
The Recovery and Resilience Facility of NextGenerationEU met its final implementation deadline as of 30 September 2026. Member States must submit their last payment requests; the Commission will conclude payments by 31 December 2026. President Ursula von der Leyen noted the Facility’s role in advancing clean and digital transitions and stabilising economies after COVID-19 and Ukraine crises. Sweden and Denmark have successfully completed their national plans, with €440 billion disbursed and up to €133 billion pending. Future actions by Member States are excluded from payment assessments, and no further amendment to recovery plans will be accepted.
Commission greenlights Sweden's final NextGenerationEU payment
Sweden is approved for the third and final payment of €332.8 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, bringing its total received to €3.45 billion. The Commission confirmed Sweden fulfilled all 59 milestones, including industrial clean transition measures and enhanced energy efficiency in buildings. The Economic and Financial Committee will deliver its opinion within four weeks, after which the final funds may be paid. Sweden becomes the second Member State to reach full completion of its recovery plan ahead of the September 2026 deadline.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Steel import documentation and 'melt and pour' rules clarified
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963 of 28 August 2026 determines evidence importers must provide to prove the country of ‘melt and pour’ under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384. Mill Test Certificates and alternative documents are permitted for traceability, with rules transitioning to a stricter regimen from 1 October 2027. Customs authorities will conduct documentary checks; failure to supply verifiable evidence results in rejected imports.
Standards for protective equipment amended
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971 of 3 September 2026 revises Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279, updating harmonised standards for protective gloves for hairdressers, protective clothing against rain, and occupational eye and face protection in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425. New and amended standards, including EN ISO 374-6:2025, are published, and outdated references are withdrawn with transition periods.
Explosive atmosphere equipment standards updated
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1967 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1668 to include EN IEC 60079-28:2026 for optical radiation protection in explosive atmospheres. The revision aligns with Directive 2014/34/EU; withdrawal of previous references is deferred to facilitate adaptation by manufacturers.
Euro 7 regulation: brake emission testing standards revised
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1214 of 9 June 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 to adopt UN Regulation No 179 for laboratory measurement of brake emissions in light-duty vehicles. This replaces prior UN Global Technical Regulation No 24 references for compliance testing and aligns standards across vehicle categories M1 and N1.
EU-Swiss emissions trading systems: Annex amended
Decision No 1/2026 (Joint Committee) of 9 June 2026 amends Annex I to the EU-Swiss emissions trading linking agreement, reflecting changes from Directive (EU) 2023/958 and (EU) 2023/959. Updates maintain compatibility, integrity, and prevent competitive distortions across the trading systems.
Correction of dual-use items regulation language versions
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1405 of 26 June 2026 corrects specific language versions of Regulation (EU) 2021/821 due to errors affecting definitions and characteristics in Annex I, Parts I–V, for dual-use items. Corrections cover eight language versions but do not impact the English version.
Amending budget for 2026 definitively adopted
Definitive adoption (EU, Euratom) 2026/1855 of 3 September 2026 completes Amending budget No 1 for the EU’s financial year 2026. President Roberta Metsola declared the procedure under Article 314 TFEU completed, following approval by Parliament and Council.
EU Council
Upcoming informal meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs ministers (ECOFIN)
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will convene informally on 18 September 2026.
