This Week in the Single Market — Brussels (#16, 2026)
Commission unveils Single Market 'regulatory deep cleaning' plan; Parliament approves new GSP rules; EU-Mercosur agreement provisionally applied; Anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese pea protein; Council debates VAT fraud action.
April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026
Commission unveils Single Market 'regulatory deep cleaning' plan; Parliament approves new GSP rules; EU-Mercosur agreement provisionally applied; Anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese pea protein; Council debates VAT fraud action.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): On May 04, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Justice programme for the period 2028-2034 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/693.
- Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): On May 04, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Authorising Member States to accept, in the interests of the European Union, the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Authorising Member States to accept, in the interests of the European Union, the accession of Cabo Verde to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; 12a. Safety and cyber security risks potentially posed by advanced AI systems, such as Anthropic's Mythos, and the application of the EU AI Act and European digital rules• Exchange of views.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On May 06, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market; Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union; A new era of EU mini-trade deals.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On May 07, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; ------; 12a. Safety and cyber security risks potentially posed by advanced AI systems, such as Anthropic's Mythos, and the application of the EU AI Act and European digital rules• Exchange of views.
European Commission
Commission proposes plan for simpler, clearer and better enforced EU rules
On 27 April 2026, the European Commission presented a comprehensive strategy to modernise EU lawmaking, aiming to ensure that laws are clearer, simpler, and more efficiently enforced. President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis outlined five action areas: embedding simplicity by design, strengthening the better regulation framework, launching a regulatory 'deep cleaning' of existing legislation, tackling gold-plating, and accelerating enforcement. The plan places particular emphasis on removing unnecessary complexity to improve the functioning of the Single Market. The Commission called on the European Parliament and Council to consistently apply these principles throughout the legislative process and referenced the commitments in the 2024-2029 Political Guidelines and the 'A Simpler and Faster Europe' Communication.
Commission adopts temporary State aid framework to support sectors affected by Middle East crisis
On 28 April 2026, the European Commission adopted the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF), enabling Member States to support sectors most exposed to the crisis, including agriculture, fishery, transport, and energy-intensive industries. METSAF will apply until 31 December 2026, with the Commission monitoring the scope and duration in light of developments. Aid measures include compensation for up to 70% of extra fuel and fertiliser costs for affected sectors and a simplified flat-rate compensation for small beneficiaries. The framework temporarily adjusts the Clean Industrial State aid Framework (CISAF) to raise aid intensity for electricity price relief from 50% to 70% for eligible energy-intensive industries. METSAF complements existing EU State aid rules, including Article 107(2)(b) TFEU.
Remarks by Commissioner Dombrovskis on plans for simpler, clearer and better enforced EU rules
In remarks delivered on 27 April 2026, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis detailed the Commission's new strategy for EU lawmaking, focusing on implementation and simplification. The five pillars include simplicity by design, strengthening the better regulation system, a regulatory deep cleaning action plan targeting 12 legislative areas in 2026-2027, addressing gold-plating by Member States, and faster, more robust enforcement procedures. Dombrovskis emphasised the need for clear, harmonised rules and collaboration with Parliament and Council to ensure effective delivery of Single Market objectives. The strategy builds on recent simplification initiatives in areas such as energy, taxation, and citizens' rights.
Commission welcomes important step to modernise EU social security coordination rules
On 28 April 2026, the Commission welcomed Member States’ approval of revised social security coordination rules, marking a significant update of Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009. The revision strengthens labour mobility by establishing a coherent regime for long-term care benefits and new rules for family and unemployment benefits. It introduces clearer conditions for posted workers, enhanced protection against fraud, and improved administrative cooperation between national authorities. The revised rules are expected to facilitate cross-border work and retirement while reducing administrative burdens for businesses operating in multiple Member States.
Commission decides to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to abolish its retail tax regime
On 28 April 2026, the Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union for maintaining a retail tax regime incompatible with the freedom of establishment under Articles 49 and 54 TFEU. The Commission found that the progressive tax structure disproportionately burdens large, foreign-controlled retailers while allowing domestic franchise operators to avoid the highest rates. Hungary had committed to phasing out the surtax in its Recovery and Resilience Plan but failed to do so. The Commission sent a letter of formal notice in October 2024 and a reasoned opinion in June 2025.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/996: Tariff quotas under the Interim EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/996 of 29 April 2026 amends Implementing Regulations (EU) 2020/761 and 2020/1988 to create, amend, and manage tariff quotas following the Interim Agreement on Trade between the EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay). The Regulation introduces new TRQs for agricultural products—maize, sugar, beef, milk powders, eggs, ethanol—effective from 1 May 2026. Transitional provisions pro-rate 2026 quotas, and the Regulation details documentation requirements for Mercosur exports. The agreement is provisionally applied, pending full ratification (CELEX: 32026R0996).
Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Uzbekistan
Published in the Official Journal on 30 April 2026, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU, its Member States, and Uzbekistan covers political dialogue, trade, sustainable development, and sectoral cooperation. The agreement addresses market access, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property, public procurement, and sustainable development. It replaces the 1996 partnership agreement and supports Uzbekistan’s WTO accession process. (CELEX: 32026A0918)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/339 repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 on radio equipment cybersecurity
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/339, published on 29 April 2026, repeals Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 following the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 (Cyber Resilience Act). The repeal avoids overlap in cybersecurity requirements for radio equipment. The repeal applies from 11 December 2027 (CELEX: 32026R0339).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/916: Provisional anti-dumping duty on pea protein from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/916 of 27 April 2026 imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of high-protein pea protein (over 65% protein) originating in China, following an investigation under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. Duties range from 40.5% to 67.4% depending on the exporter. The measure addresses significant market undercutting and injury to EU producers. (CELEX: 32026R0916)
European Parliament
Parliament endorses renewed EU trade instrument for development (GSP scheme)
On 28 April 2026, the European Parliament approved the updated Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) with 459 votes in favour. The renewed scheme allows vulnerable developing countries to export to the EU at low or zero tariffs, with stricter human rights and environmental conditionality, including the Paris Agreement. New provisions include mandatory engagement before withdrawal for non-cooperation on migrant readmission and automatic rice safeguards to protect EU producers.
Parliament adopts new rules for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP)
The plenary endorsed the reformed GSP rules, strengthening conditionalities on human rights, environmental, and migration-related conventions. The new scheme applies for 10 years and introduces a 45% trigger for rice import safeguards and two-year delays for least developed countries on readmission conditions.
Simplification of requirements and procedures for chemical products
On 29 April 2026, the Parliament voted on the proposal to amend Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, 1223/2009, and (EU) 2019/1009, simplifying certain requirements and procedures for chemical products. The report by Dimitris Tsiodras and Piotr Müller focuses on reducing administrative burdens in compliance with Single Market objectives.
EU Council
Council agrees new rules to fight VAT fraud
On 5 May 2026, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) reached agreement on new rules to combat value added tax (VAT) fraud across the EU. Ministers also held a policy debate on the market integration and supervision package, part of the EU’s savings and investment union.
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade): Ministers discuss economic security and WTO reform
On 22 May 2026, EU trade ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the impact of the Middle East conflict on trade, review WTO reform following the 14th Ministerial Conference, and assess ongoing trade negotiations.
EP Committee Work
ENVI Committee opinion on amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials)
On 29 April 2026, the ENVI Committee adopted its opinion (rapporteur: Jacek Ozdoba) on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 concerning secure and sustainable critical raw materials. The opinion calls for strengthened risk preparedness, diversification of supply sources, and enhanced circular economy measures. It also proposes that the Commission specify a non-exhaustive list of risk mitigation measures for large companies and ensure proportionality of new requirements.
DEVE Committee opinion on termination of the EU-Liberia FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement
On 28 April 2026, the Committee on Development (rapporteur: Barry Andrews) issued its opinion supporting the draft Council decision to terminate the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the EU and Liberia on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) in timber products.
What We're Reading This Week
- The end of the Brexit taboo: how Rejoin became respectable: Growing public support and shifting political discourse are making calls to rejoin the EU mainstream in UK politics.
- Factsheet: Provisional application of the EU-Mercosur agreement - How to export goods and services: EU businesses gain provisional access to Mercosur markets, easing export of goods and services under new trade agreement rules.
