This Week in the Single Market — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects under CRMA; Market Integration and Supervision Package agreed by Council; Regulation (EU) 2026/2269 on Armenia trade adopted; reforms for EU enlargement outlined.
October 05, 2026 to October 11, 2026
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects under CRMA; Market Integration and Supervision Package agreed by Council; Regulation (EU) 2026/2269 on Armenia trade adopted; reforms for EU enlargement outlined.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On October 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
European Commission
Commission selects 46 new Strategic Projects to bolster the EU's supply of critical raw materials
On 8 October, the European Commission announced the selection of 46 new Strategic Projects across 16 Member States, under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA, entered into force 23 May 2024). The projects, selected from 102 applications, span extraction, processing, and recycling stages, covering 15 of 17 strategic raw materials. Combined with prior rounds (47 EU projects, 13 in third countries), the portfolio aims to achieve CRMA benchmarks by 2030: at least 10% extraction, 40% processing, and 25% recycling of annual EU consumption. The Commission noted accelerated permitting procedures via Single Points of Contact, with 25 projects completing environmental impact assessments and 17 receiving construction permits. Over €2 billion in financial support has been mobilised, including from the Innovation Fund, State aid, and the EIB. A new call for Strategic Project applications is expected at the end of 2026.
Remarks by Commissioner Dombrovskis at ECOFIN on market integration and banking competitiveness
Commissioner Dombrovskis addressed the outcomes of the ECOFIN Council, noting political agreement on the Market Integration and Supervision Package. The Commission signalled the intention to present a banking competitiveness and simplification package in Q1 2027. Dombrovskis also reported the Council’s endorsement of Czechia’s revised medium-term fiscal structural plan and a recommendation for Greece broadening the national escape clause to cover energy security. He provided updates on the Ukraine Support Loan, with €16.9 billion disbursed, and highlighted ongoing work under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with €450 billion already paid out and final payment requests under assessment.
NextGenerationEU: Recovery and Resilience Facility reaches major implementation milestone
The Commission published the fifth annual report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), showing that €450 billion (about 80% of the total envelope) has been disbursed to Member States. The report details progress against nearly 6,000 milestones and targets; as of 31 August 2026, 4,082 were fulfilled and 1,899 under assessment. The RRF has supported digital and green transitions, with €140 billion allocated to digital and €287 billion to climate-related measures. All 27 Member States submitted final payment requests by the 30 September deadline, with €123 billion in payments to be completed by year-end, subject to milestone completion.
Commission fines Kingspan €40 million for misleading merger investigation information
The European Commission fined Kingspan €40 million for four infringements of the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR) during the 2021 review of its planned acquisition of Trimo. The investigation, opened in November 2022, found that Kingspan provided incorrect or misleading information on market penetration rates, bidding data, board member involvement, and R&D activities. The fine, €10 million per infringement, is intended to deter future violations and uphold the integrity of the merger control process. The Commission referenced previous fines under the EUMR and noted that the Kingspan-Trimo deal was ultimately abandoned in April 2022.
EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations: Joint Statement and press remarks
On 8-9 October, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held the second EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations in Beijing. Both sides agreed to continue dialogue on tariff reductions, market access for medical devices, and the resolution of hybrid vehicle trade issues. The joint statement sets out understandings on rare earth exports, export controls, and intellectual property. The two parties plan to hold a third ministerial meeting in March 2027 and maintain technical engagement on issues including the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and mutual regulatory frameworks.
Commission adopts proposal to accelerate standards development and improve competitiveness
The Commission proposed a revision of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 on European standardisation to reduce the average timeline for standard development from six to four years. The draft introduces clearer deadlines, supports interim deliverables, and facilitates broader participation from SMEs and civil society. The proposal would codify free access to standards referenced in EU law, in line with Court of Justice rulings, and establishes an Expert Centre on European Standardisation. The measures aim to help businesses demonstrate compliance and support the Single Market’s strategic interests.
Pre-enlargement policy reviews: Preparing for a wider Union
The European Commission adopted a package on pre-enlargement policy reviews, outlining reforms and actions needed for future EU enlargements. The package includes proposals to use passerelle clauses for qualified majority voting in selected areas, extend sectoral and institutional safeguards in accession treaties, and reinforce the process for gradual integration of candidate countries. The reviews assess the Union’s readiness across governance, budget, and policy areas, and propose measures to ensure administrative capacity and legal compliance. The package will inform discussions at the European Council and with the Parliament.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/2269: Temporary trade-liberalisation measures for products from Armenia
Regulation (EU) 2026/2269 of 7 October 2026 introduces temporary trade-liberalisation measures for selected products originating in Armenia. The regulation suspends ad valorem duties on listed products and establishes tariff quotas for specific agricultural goods. The measures respond to Russian trade restrictions impacting Armenian exports and are intended to support Armenia’s economic resilience. The regulation is binding for two years from its entry into force.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2245: Registration of imports of polyvinyl alcohols from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2245 of 8 October 2026 subjects imports of certain polyvinyl alcohols from China, manufactured by the Sinopec Group, to registration by customs authorities. The measure follows a CJEU judgment (C-319/24 P) and allows for retroactive anti-dumping duties, pending the outcome of the reopened investigation. Registration will expire in nine months unless further action is taken.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2205: Exceptional market support for eggs and poultrymeat in Italy
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2205 provides for EU part-financing of up to EUR 60.7 million for Italian producers affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks between 2022 and 2025. The regulation sets out eligibility, maximum quantities, and payment deadlines for compensation, with the Union covering 50% of eligible expenditures.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2208: Exceptional market support for the pigmeat sector in Italy
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2208 grants up to EUR 12.6 million in EU part-financing for Italian pigmeat producers affected by African swine fever outbreaks between November 2024 and April 2025. The regulation details eligible measures, compensation limits, and conditions to avoid overcompensation or double funding.
EU Council
ECOFIN Council agrees on Market Integration and Supervision Package
On 9 October, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council reached agreement on the Market Integration and Supervision Package, aimed at strengthening EU capital markets and long-term competitiveness. Ministers also discussed banking sector competitiveness and preparations for a new Commission legislative package.
Eurogroup discusses public finances and capital markets union
The Eurogroup met on 8 October to review exchange rate developments, public finance effectiveness, and progress on the capital markets union. Ministers also examined the energy market’s impact on the euro area and initiated the process for an ECB executive board appointment.
