This Week in Mining — Brussels (#27, 2026)
Council legislates on ECSC Fund assets; new RFCS programme guidelines adopted; changes to coal/steel research funding; Digital Product Passport implementation; REGI public hearing on Just Transition Fund.
July 12, 2026 to July 18, 2026
Council legislates on ECSC Fund assets; new RFCS programme guidelines adopted; changes to coal/steel research funding; Digital Product Passport implementation; REGI public hearing on Just Transition Fund.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
Commission approves €300 million Irish State aid for energy-intensive companies under Clean Industrial Deal
On 15 July 2026, the European Commission approved a €300 million Irish State aid scheme to provide temporary electricity price relief to energy-intensive companies. The approval, which runs from 4 July 2025 until 31 December 2029, is given under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted on 25 June 2025. Beneficiaries must reinvest at least 50% of the aid received in decarbonisation measures, including new or modernised assets which reduce system costs without increasing fossil fuel use. Aid will be disbursed as direct grants for eligible electricity costs, covering up to three years of consumption for sectors at risk of relocation due to international competition and high energy prices. The scheme sets a minimum reduced electricity price of €50/MW and requires compliance with the 2022 State aid guidelines. The Commission found the measure necessary and proportionate to accelerate the net-zero transition and facilitate key economic activities under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1545 lays down new RFCS implementation measures and liquidates ECSC assets
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1545 of 29 June 2026, published on 17 July 2026, sets new measures for managing the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty. The Decision details procedures for liquidating the European Coal and Steel Community's assets and allocates revenue to the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). Up to EUR 120 million per year will be allocated for coal and steel research from 2027 to 2033, with a final allocation for 2034. The Decision also repeals Decision 2003/76/EC.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1561 establishes new Research Fund for Coal and Steel Programme guidelines
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1561 of 29 June 2026 revises the Research Fund for Coal and Steel Programme and its multiannual technical and financial guidelines. The Decision aligns RFCS funding with Horizon Europe rules, allows wider eligible costs, and introduces a new work programme structure for 2027-2034 with yearly calls. Decision 2008/376/EC is repealed as of 1 January 2027.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 sets operational rules for Digital Product Passport registry
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 of 16 July 2026 details the technical and operational arrangements for the Digital Product Passport registry under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The Regulation sets out requirements for registration, verification, unique identifiers, actor responsibilities, and data management for products covered, with direct relevance to batteries, construction products, and resource-intensive goods.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 publishes harmonised standards for Digital Product Passports
Decision (EU) 2026/1736 of 14 July 2026 publishes references to harmonised standards EN 18216:2026, EN 18219:2026, EN 18220:2026, EN 18221:2026, EN 18222:2026, and EN 18223:2026 for Digital Product Passports, supporting implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. Products conforming to these standards are presumed compliant with the Regulation’s core requirements.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers scheduled for 23 July 2026
The Environment Council will hold an informal meeting of environment ministers on 23 July 2026.
EP Committee Work
REGI Committee holds public hearing on continuity of Just Transition Fund for regions in transition
On 16 July 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) organised a public hearing titled 'Regions undergoing transition: ensuring the continuity of the Just Transition Fund and making sure no region is left behind'. The session included interventions from representatives of Poland, Ireland, and Germany, as well as the European Commission (DG REGIO) discussing lessons learned, regional support mechanisms, and future options for extending the Fund beyond 2027.
