This Week in the Single Market — Brussels (#18, 2026)
Commission proposes seamless EU rail ticketing; Parliament and Council reach deal on Critical Medicines Act; New Single Market anti-dumping duties adopted; EU Talent Pool Regulation enters into force.
May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Commission proposes seamless EU rail ticketing; Parliament and Council reach deal on Critical Medicines Act; New Single Market anti-dumping duties adopted; EU Talent Pool Regulation enters into force.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission proposes new rules for seamless EU train travel and booking
On 12 May 2026, the European Commission proposed a legislative package aimed at simplifying travel planning and booking across the EU, with a focus on rail journeys involving multiple operators. The proposals address market fragmentation by enabling single-ticket bookings across different rail companies and enhance rail passenger rights in cases of missed connections during multi-operator journeys. New obligations would require ticketing platforms to present offers neutrally, including sorting by greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure fair access for all transport operators. The measures are intended to strengthen the internal market as part of President Ursula von der Leyen's political guidelines, and advance the EU's long-distance rail action plan. The proposals were submitted to Council and Parliament for consideration under the ordinary legislative procedure.
Commission welcomes political agreement on Critical Medicines Act
On 11 May 2026, the European Commission welcomed the political agreement reached by the Council and European Parliament on the Critical Medicines Act (CMA). The Act aims to strengthen the resilience of the EU health sector by diversifying supply chains and supporting domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. Key features include obligations for Member States to incentivise supply chain resilience during procurement, creation of Strategic Projects for EU manufacturing capacity, contingency stock measures, and facilitation of collaborative procurement for critical medicines. The agreement, complementing prior pharmaceutical reforms, is pending formal approval by Parliament and Council.
Commission approves Suzano's acquisition of Kimberly-Clark IFP
On 10 May 2026, the European Commission unconditionally approved Suzano S.A.'s acquisition of Kimberly-Clark IFP NewCo B.V. under the EU Merger Regulation. The transaction, notified on 31 March 2026, was found not to raise competition concerns in the EEA, despite Suzano's position as a leading global supplier of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP) and the vertical relationship with Kimberly-Clark IFP's tissue product business. The investigation concluded that EEA tissue producers would continue to have sufficient supply options and face no significant switching barriers. The approval follows a routine Phase I review.
Commission presents updated EU ETS benchmarks for 2026–2030
On 10 May 2026, the European Commission proposed updated benchmark values for free allocation of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for 2026–2030. The update, now open for consultation, determines the level of free allocation to industry and maintains coverage of indirect emissions from electricity use for 14 product benchmarks. The approach includes sector-specific fallback benchmarks to be introduced in the upcoming ETS revision. The benchmarks are expected to be adopted by implementing act by the end of June 2026, with allocation following shortly after.
Commission invites comments on revised State aid rules for air transport
On 10 May 2026, the European Commission launched a public consultation on draft revised Guidelines on State aid to the air transport sector. The draft updates the 2014 rules to address sectoral changes, the impact of COVID-19, and decarbonisation objectives. Key changes include block-exempting operating aid for airports with up to 500,000 yearly passengers, allowing transitional aid for airports with up to 1 million passengers, and phasing out start-up aid for new routes. The Guidelines are set for adoption in Q1 2027, following consultation and Member State discussions.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 on greenhouse gas emissions accounting of transport services
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 was adopted on 29 April 2026, establishing harmonised rules for greenhouse gas emissions accounting of transport services that start or end in the EU. The Regulation mandates the use of EN ISO 14083:2023 as the common methodology and introduces a core Union database for default emission values. The rules apply from 2 December 2030, aiming for greater transparency and comparability of emissions data for freight and passenger transport.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 establishing an EU Talent Pool
Adopted on 29 April 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1047 establishes an EU Talent Pool to facilitate the recruitment of third-country nationals to address labour shortages in the Union. The Regulation sets up an IT platform for matching profiles of registered jobseekers from outside the EU to job vacancies in shortage occupations, with participation open to all Member States. The rules detail the governance structure, data protection, and fair recruitment standards.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1045: provisional anti-dumping duty on alkyl phosphonic acids from China
On 12 May 2026, the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1045, imposing provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of certain alkyl phosphonic acids and their sodium salts from China. The investigation found material injury to the Union industry due to dumped imports and established duties ranging up to 219.4% of the CIF Union frontier price.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1063: provisional anti-dumping duty on PET Spunbond from China
On 12 May 2026, the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1063, imposing provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of PET Spunbond originating in China. The measure addresses injurious dumping with duties set at up to 50% of the CIF Union frontier price, following a finding of material injury to the Union industry.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1069 on vehicle registration data exchange with the UK
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1069 of 12 May 2026 establishes the EU position on the date from which Member States may supply personal data relating to vehicle registration to the United Kingdom, pursuant to Article 540(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Decision allows data exchange as of 15 June 2026, following the completion of evaluation procedures.
EU Council
Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) – Upcoming
The Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) will meet on 28 May 2026. The configuration will address legislative and policy files relevant to the internal market and EU industry.
EP Committee Work
BUDG draft report on European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security 2028–2034
On 11 May 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) published a draft report (rapporteur: Andrey Novakov) on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.
EMPL draft opinion on pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP)
On 11 May 2026, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) published its draft opinion (rapporteur: Liesbet Sommen) on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/1238 regarding the pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP).
TRAN draft opinion on CO2 emission performance standards for new light duty vehicles
On 11 May 2026, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published a draft opinion (rapporteur: Jens Gieseke) on the proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards CO2 emission performance standards for new light duty vehicles and vehicle labelling, and repealing Directive 1999/94/EC.
SEDE recommendation on EU–Canada procurement under the SAFE Instrument
On 12 May 2026, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) published a recommendation (rapporteur: Borys Budka) on the draft Council decision concerning the agreement between the EU and Canada regarding participation in procurement under the SAFE Instrument.
INTA opinion on EU–Switzerland broad package of agreements
On 12 May 2026, the Committee on International Trade (INTA) published its opinion (rapporteur: Željana Zovko) on the draft Council decision for a broad package of agreements between the EU and Switzerland to consolidate, deepen and expand bilateral relations, amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU.
What We're Reading This Week
- European carmakers take €8bn hit from Trump tariffs: New U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration cost European automakers €8 billion, raising fears of a prolonged trade conflict.
- Euro dominates extra-EU trade in primary goods: The euro remains the leading currency for extra-EU imports and exports of primary goods, underscoring its global trade influence.
- Trade in agricultural products: €24.7 billion surplus: EU posts a €24.7 billion surplus in agricultural trade, highlighting strong export performance over imports.
- The EU and China are stumbling into a trade war: Escalating tariffs and mounting tensions risk disrupting key supply chains between Europe and China.
- Carbon price paid in Third Countries: New policy requires importers to pay a carbon price on goods produced in countries without equivalent climate regulations.
