This Week in the Single Market — Brussels (#29, 2026)
New single access point regulation for securities; EU-Pakistan tariff quota agreement; CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles amended; EBA fee methodology for OTC derivatives.
August 17, 2026 to August 23, 2026
New single access point regulation for securities; EU-Pakistan tariff quota agreement; CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles amended; EBA fee methodology for OTC derivatives.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/971: Single Access Point for Regulated Information
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/971, published on 19 August 2026, supplements Directive 2004/109/EC regarding regulatory technical standards for access to regulated information at Union level. The regulation repeals Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1437 and aligns provisions with Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 and Directive (EU) 2023/2864, establishing the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) as the operator of the European single access point (ESAP). ESAP will provide centralised electronic access to regulated information submitted by Officially Appointed Mechanisms (OAMs), effective 10 July 2026. The regulation sets technical requirements for OAMs, search criteria, secure communication, and metadata delivery.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1953: Tariff Quotas Agreement with Pakistan
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1953, dated 10 July 2026 and published on 21 August 2026, concludes the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the EU and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The agreement, pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, modifies concessions on all tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. The decision provides for notification procedures and enters into force on its adoption date.
Notice: Entry into Force of EU-China Tariff Quotas Agreement
A notice published 19 August 2026 confirms the entry into force of the tariff quotas agreement between the EU and the People’s Republic of China under Article XXVIII of GATT 1994. The agreement, signed in Geneva on 17 October 2025, entered into force on 31 July 2026 and relates to the modification of concessions as a consequence of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Agreement: EU-Pakistan Modification of Tariff-Rate Quotas
The agreement published 21 August 2026 details the Exchange of Letters between the EU and Pakistan under Article XXVIII of GATT 1994. The agreement outlines the methodology for apportioning scheduled commitments in tariff-rate quotas following the UK's withdrawal, including provisions for future consultations if other WTO negotiations alter the apportionment.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1282: CO2 Data Reporting for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1282, published 21 August 2026, amends and corrects Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 regarding data to be monitored, reported, and published for new heavy-duty vehicles. The amendments clarify reporting requirements for manufacturers and Member States, add parameters for specialised vehicles, and address data protection for commercially sensitive information. Corrections to Part C of Annex IV and points 1.1, 2.1, and 2.2 of Annex V are included.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1949: Emergency Measures for Lumpy Skin Disease in Italy
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1949, published 18 August 2026, amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1582 relating to emergency measures for lumpy skin disease in Italy. The decision modifies the duration and scope of disease control measures in protection and surveillance zones, reflecting delays in Sardinia, and maintains restrictions on animal movements and vaccination zones. It is addressed to Italy and applies immediately.
UN Regulation No 100: Approval Requirements for Electric Power Trains
UN Regulation No 100, published 17 August 2026, sets uniform provisions for the approval of vehicles regarding specific requirements for electric power trains, including safety standards for Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage Systems (REESS). The regulation incorporates amendments up to 26 September 2025 and covers scope, application, definitions, approval procedures, safety requirements, and transitional provisions.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1000: EBA Fee Determination for OTC Derivatives Pro Forma Models
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1000, published 17 August 2026, supplements Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 by specifying the method for determining fees charged by the European Banking Authority (EBA) for validating pro forma models under Article 11(3). The regulation details calculation methodologies based on notional amounts, cost recovery, and payment modalities for counterparties using non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives.
EU Council
Upcoming: Informal General Affairs Council Meeting
The General Affairs Council will hold an informal meeting on 3 September 2026. No outcomes reported for the week.
