This Week in Mining — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission registers silicon imports from China; Worker protection directive amended; Plant protection substances approval periods extended; Congo sanctions updated.
October 26, 2026 to November 01, 2026
Commission registers silicon imports from China; Worker protection directive amended; Plant protection substances approval periods extended; Congo sanctions updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission registers silicon imports from China amid interim anti-dumping review
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2346 of 23 October 2026 directs customs authorities to register imports of silicon (CN code 2804 69 00) originating in the People’s Republic of China. The measure follows the Commission's interim review of existing anti-dumping duties under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, Article 14(5). The registration is set for nine months from the entry into force of the regulation and aims to collect data as the review, requested by Euroalliages on 8 July 2026, proceeds. The existing anti-dumping duty was established by Regulation (EU) 2022/1394.
Directive on worker protection from carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic substances amended
Directive (EU) 2026/2450 amends Directive 2004/37/EC to update rules on the protection of workers from exposure to hazardous substances, including those relevant to mining and critical raw materials. The text, adopted on 21 October 2026, introduces new or revised occupational exposure limits (OELs) for substances such as cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds. Transitional periods for compliance are specified, with final national implementation required by 20 November 2028. The directive reflects scientific advice from ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment and the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work.
Extension of approval periods for plant protection active substances
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2348, dated 23 October 2026, amends Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 to extend the approval periods of multiple active substances used in plant protection, including aluminium phosphide, calcium carbide, and zinc phosphide. The extensions address procedural delays in the renewal process under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Revised expiry dates are established on a case-by-case basis, with some approvals now valid into 2029 or 2030. The measure is intended to ensure regulatory continuity pending final risk assessments.
Council Regulation amends sanctions related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/2374 of 26 October 2026 updates Regulation (EC) No 1183/2005 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The amendments align EU law with recent United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2667 (2022) and 2825 (2026), adjusting criteria for designating sanctioned individuals and entities. The regulation clarifies prohibitions on financing, technical assistance, and the sale of military goods, with expanded obligations for information sharing among authorities.
