Review of the EU legislation for 01/01/2025

Here’s a concise review of the legal acts:

1. Flight Emissions Label

A new voluntary environmental labelling scheme for EU aviation requiring participating airlines to report flight emissions data. Labels must show emissions per passenger/tonne and be displayed at points of sale. Initially applies to passenger flights until 2028, then includes cargo.

2. Fisheries Regulations

Multiple regulations addressing fishing quotas and access:
– Reopening of anchovy fishing for Spanish vessels in area 8
– Closure of Bluefin tuna fishing for Greek vessels in Atlantic/Mediterranean
– Reopening of Greenland halibut fishing for French vessels in Norwegian waters
– Reopening of red seabream fishing for Portuguese vessels in zone 9

3. Hazardous Chemicals Export/Import

Updates lists of banned/restricted chemicals under EU Regulation 649/2012, adding over 30 new substances including benfluralin, ipconazole, and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid.

4. Fisheries Conservation Measures

Modifies minimum sizes for short-necked clams (32mm) and red seabream (36cm), with specific seasonal closures for red seabream fishing.

5. Purchasing Power Parities

Updates classification system for calculating PPPs with 269 basic headings covering household consumption, government expenditure, and capital formation.

6. Bisphenol A Regulation

Bans BPA in food contact materials with limited exceptions, prohibits hazardous bisphenols, and establishes compliance requirements and transition periods.

7. African Swine Fever

Updates control zones and measures in several EU countries, particularly in Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia.

8. Wine Designation

Approves name change of Austrian wine region from ‘Süd-Oststeiermark’ to ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’.

9. Financial Institutions Disclosure

New technical standards for financial institutions’ public disclosures on risk management, capital adequacy, and ESG risks, effective January 2025.

Review of each of legal acts published today:

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3170 of 18 December 2024 laying down detailed provisions concerning the voluntary environmental labelling scheme for the estimation of the environmental performance of flights, established pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Flight Emissions Label)

This Commission Implementing Regulation establishes a voluntary environmental labelling scheme called the Flight Emissions Label to measure and communicate the environmental performance of flights within the EU aviation sector.The regulation creates a standardized methodology for calculating flight emissions based on aviation fuel consumption and lifecycle emissions. It requires participating aircraft operators to submit detailed data about their flights, fuel usage, and emissions to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for verification and label issuance.Key structural elements include:

• Detailed methodology for estimating flight emissions based on fuel consumption and lifecycle emissions
• Requirements for aircraft operators to report operational data to EASA
• Rules for label validity periods and display requirements
• Creation of a public flight emissions website
• Technical specifications for label design and formatting

The most important provisions include:

• Aircraft operators must submit applications by February 1st each year and report detailed flight data by May 1st
• EASA will verify data and issue labels by June 30th each year
• Labels must display emissions per passenger (for passenger flights) or per tonne (for cargo)
• Labels must be prominently displayed at all points of sale and in advertising
• The scheme initially applies only to passenger flights until January 1, 2028, when cargo flights will be included

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3247 of 20 December 2024 reopening the fishery for anchovy in area 8 by vessels flying the flag of Spain, by repealing Regulation (EU) 2024/2799

This Regulation deals with the reopening of anchovy fishing in area 8 for Spanish vessels, following a temporary closure. The act reverses a previous fishing prohibition that was established by Regulation (EU) 2024/2799, allowing Spanish vessels to resume anchovy fishing operations in the specified area.The Regulation consists of two main articles and an annex. Article 1 establishes the reopening of the fishery and repeals the previous prohibition, while Article 2 sets the entry into force and retroactive application from October 25, 2024. The Annex provides specific technical details about the fishing reopening, including the species (Engraulis encrasicolus), fishing zone, closing date, and reopening date.Key provisions of the act include:
– The reopening is based on information from Spanish authorities indicating that fishing quota is still available
– The measure applies retroactively from October 25, 2024, to allow fishing of the remaining quota before year-end
– The regulation specifically targets Spanish-flagged vessels fishing for anchovy in area 8
– The original closure was implemented on August 6, 2024, following Spain’s notification to the Commission

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/3199 of 15 October 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the listing of pesticides and industrial chemicals

This Commission Delegated Regulation amends Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals. The regulation updates lists of chemicals that are banned or severely restricted for use in the European Union, implementing decisions made under the Rotterdam Convention and Stockholm Convention.The regulation makes changes to Annexes I and V of Regulation 649/2012 by adding new chemicals to different parts of the annexes and modifying some existing entries. The main changes include adding over 30 new substances that are banned or restricted for use as pesticides or industrial chemicals.Key provisions include:

• Adding substances like benfluralin, ipconazole, asulam-sodium and others that are banned from use as pesticides
• Adding industrial chemicals like dihexyl phthalate and sodium perborate that are subject to authorization
• Updating the listing of polychlorinated biphenyls to align with the Rotterdam Convention
• Adding perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and related compounds following their listing under the Stockholm Convention
• Modifying the entry for endosulfan to clarify its scope

The regulation will apply from March 1, 2025 to give stakeholders and Member States time to implement the necessary measures for compliance.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3250 of 20 December 2024 establishing a fisheries closure for Bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean, east of 45° W, and Mediterranean for vessels flying the flag of Greece

This Regulation establishes a fisheries closure for Bluefin tuna in specific areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea for Greek vessels. The act is issued due to the exhaustion of Greece’s fishing quota for Bluefin tuna allocated for 2024. The closure affects the area east of 45° W in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.The Regulation consists of three articles and an annex. Article 1 declares the exhaustion of the Greek fishing quota, Article 2 establishes specific prohibitions for fishing activities, and Article 3 deals with the entry into force. The Annex provides technical details about the closure, including the specific stock code, species information, and the closing date of November 7, 2024.Key provisions include:
– Complete prohibition of fishing activities for Bluefin tuna by vessels flying the Greek flag
– Ban on retaining on board, relocating, transhipping, or landing Bluefin tuna caught after the closing date
– The closure applies to the specific stock coded as BFT/AE45WM, including several special conditions
– The regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3249 of 20 December 2024 reopening the fishery for Greenland halibut in Norwegian waters of 1 and 2 by vessels flying the flag of France, by repealing Regulation (EU) 2024/2826

This Commission Regulation reopens the fishery for Greenland halibut in Norwegian waters for French vessels. The act addresses a specific situation where France initially closed its fishing activities for this species on July 26, 2024, but later received additional fishing quota through exchanges of fishing opportunities with other countries. The regulation allows French vessels to resume fishing for Greenland halibut from November 8, 2024.The regulation consists of two main articles and an annex. Article 1 establishes the reopening of the fishery and repeals the previous regulation that prohibited fishing. Article 2 sets the entry into force and retroactive application date. The annex provides specific technical details about the fishing reopening, including the species, zone, and relevant dates.Key provisions of the regulation include:
– The reopening applies specifically to vessels flying the flag of France
– The fishing zone is limited to Norwegian waters of areas 1 and 2
– The reopening is effective from November 8, 2024
– The regulation applies retroactively, which is justified by the availability of new quota
– The fishing opportunity is specifically for Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/3204 of 11 October 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards short-necked clam and red seabream

This Regulation amends the EU’s technical measures for fisheries conservation, specifically focusing on two species: short-necked clam (Manila clam) and red seabream. The changes affect fishing activities in the North Western Waters and South Western Waters of the EU.The Regulation introduces two main modifications to existing rules. First, it reduces the minimum conservation reference size for short-necked clams in the Arcachon Basin from 35mm to 32mm. Second, it extends specific measures for red seabream until December 2025, including minimum size requirements and seasonal fishing closures.The structure of the act consists of two main articles and an annex that modifies Annexes VI and VII of Regulation 2019/1241. The changes primarily concern minimum conservation reference sizes and closed fishing areas.Key provisions include:

• A new minimum size of 32mm for short-necked clams in specific areas
• A 36cm minimum size for red seabream (with 40cm for recreational fishing in certain areas)
• Prohibition of red seabream fishing for French vessels in specific areas from January to June 2025
• Automatic reversion to 33cm minimum size for red seabream from January 2026 if no new rules are adopted

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3171 of 18 December 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 1445/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of basic headings used for Purchasing Power Parities

This Regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 1445/2007 regarding the list of basic headings used for calculating Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs). The main purpose is to update the classification of individual consumption items to align with the new international COICOP 2018 standard.The Regulation consists of two main articles and an extensive Annex II that replaces the previous version. Article 1 implements the replacement of Annex II, while Article 2 sets the entry into force date and application date of September 1, 2025.The core of the Regulation is the new Annex II which provides a detailed classification system with 269 basic headings covering:

• Individual consumption expenditure by households (items 1-236)
• Individual consumption expenditure by non-profit institutions serving households (items 237-242)
• Individual consumption expenditure by general government (items 243-247)
• Collective consumption expenditure by general government (items 248-252)
• Gross capital formation (items 253-268)
• Balance of exports and imports (item 269)

The classification provides a detailed breakdown of consumption categories aligned with COICOP 2018, COPNI, COFOG and CPA version 2.1 statistical classifications. Each basic heading is given a unique number and mapped to the relevant classification codes. The structure follows a hierarchical organization from broad categories down to specific items.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 of 19 December 2024 on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives with harmonised classification for specific hazardous properties in certain materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/213

This Regulation establishes new rules on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in materials and articles intended for contact with food. The main purpose is to protect human health by restricting the use of these potentially hazardous substances.The Regulation introduces a general prohibition on the use of BPA and its salts in the manufacture of food contact materials, with very limited derogations for specific critical applications where alternatives are not yet available. It also prohibits the use of other hazardous bisphenols unless specifically authorized.The key provisions include:

• A general ban on BPA use in food contact materials with limited exceptions for specific applications like polysulfone filtration membranes and large capacity tanks over 1000 liters
• Prohibition of hazardous bisphenols with specific classifications related to toxicity, unless authorized
• Requirements for declarations of compliance and verification of compliance
• Transitional periods ranging from 18-36 months for different applications to allow industry adaptation
• Reporting obligations for large companies on development of alternatives

The Regulation applies to various materials including adhesives, rubbers, plastics, printing inks, silicones, varnishes and coatings. It establishes detailed requirements for compliance verification, including testing methods and limits. The act also amends existing Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and repeals Regulation (EU) 2018/213 on BPA in varnishes and coatings.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3245 of 19 December 2024 amending Annexes I and II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special control measures for African swine fever and repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2976 concerning certain interim emergency measures relating to African swine fever in Germany

This is a Commission Implementing Regulation amending Annexes I and II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 regarding African swine fever control measures.The regulation updates the zoning and control measures for African swine fever in several EU member states, particularly modifying restricted zones I, II and III in response to changes in the epidemiological situation. The main changes include:1. Listing a new infected zone in Brandenburg, Germany following confirmation of an outbreak in a wild boar2. Modifying restricted zones in Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia based on recent outbreaks and improved situations in certain areas3. Updating the boundaries and classifications of restricted zones in various regions based on risk assessments and epidemiological developmentsThe regulation provides detailed geographical descriptions of the modified zones and updates the control measures that apply in each zone type. It aims to prevent further spread of African swine fever while adapting restrictions based on the evolving disease situation.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3227 of 18 December 2024 on the approval of a Union amendment to the product specification of the protected designation of origin Süd-Oststeiermark pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council

This Regulation approves a change in the name of a protected designation of origin (PDO) for an Austrian wine region from ‘Süd-Oststeiermark’ to ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’. The amendment was requested by Austria under EU regulations governing geographical indications for wines and agricultural products.The act consists of two main articles: Article 1 approves the amendment to the product specification for the protected designation of origin, while Article 2 establishes the standard entry into force provision (twenty days after publication).The key provisions of this act are straightforward:

• The amendment was properly submitted by Austria before the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143
• No opposition to the name change was received during the statutory period
• The change only affects the name of the protected designation, from ‘Süd-Oststeiermark’ to ‘Vulkanland Steiermark’
• The amendment maintains all other aspects of the original product specification

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3172 of 29 November 2024 laying down implementing technical standards for the application of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to public disclosures by institutions of the information referred to in Part Eight, Titles II and III, of that Regulation, and repealing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/637

This Regulation establishes new implementing technical standards for public disclosures by financial institutions regarding prudential requirements, risk management, and other key metrics. It implements changes introduced by Basel III standards into EU legislation.The Regulation replaces the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/637 and introduces comprehensive disclosure requirements in areas like capital adequacy, liquidity, credit risk, market risk, operational risk, and ESG risks. It will apply from January 1, 2025.The main structure includes 28 articles covering different disclosure aspects and detailed annexes with specific templates and formats for disclosures. Key changes include new requirements for output floor disclosures, more granular risk weight treatments, revised market risk framework based on FRTB, and new approaches for operational risk.

Key provisions:

• Detailed requirements for disclosure of key metrics, risk management, own funds, and capital buffers
• New frameworks for market risk and operational risk disclosures
• Enhanced ESG risk disclosure requirements
• Specific provisions for crypto-asset exposures
• Standardized IT solutions and formats to be developed by EBA
• Frequency requirements for quarterly, semi-annual and annual disclosures

The Regulation aims to ensure uniform and comparable disclosures across EU institutions while maintaining consistency with international standards. It provides detailed technical specifications for the content, format and frequency of required disclosures.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3248 of 20 December 2024 reopening the fishery for red seabream in Union and international waters of 9 by vessels flying the flag of Portugal, by repealing Regulation (EU) 2024/1949

This Commission Regulation reopens the fishery for red seabream in Union and international waters of zone 9 for Portuguese vessels. The act addresses a specific situation where Portugal initially closed this fishery in June 2024 but later received additional fishing quota through exchanges with other member states. The regulation allows Portuguese vessels to resume fishing for red seabream from November 6, 2024.The regulation consists of two main articles and an annex. Article 1 establishes the reopening of the fishery and repeals the previous regulation that prohibited it. Article 2 sets the entry into force and application dates. The annex provides specific details about the fishing quota, including the species (Pagellus bogaraveo), fishing zone, closing date, and reopening date.Key provisions include:

• The reopening applies specifically to vessels flying the flag of Portugal
• The fishing is permitted in Union and international waters of zone 9
• The regulation has retroactive effect from November 6, 2024
• The previous prohibition (Regulation 2024/1949) is repealed
• The reopening is valid until further notice, allowing Portuguese vessels to utilize their newly acquired quota before the end of the year