Review of the EU legislation for 12/02/2025

Here’s a concise review of the legal acts:
1. Two new Protected Geographical Indications were registered in the EU:

• ‘Melon de Cavaillon’ from France
• ‘Miel wallon’ (Walloon honey) from Belgium
• ‘Yläsavolainen muurinpohjalettu’ from Finland

2. Changes to biocidal product regulations:

• Modified contact times for Hydrogen Peroxide Family 1 products, including changes from 30 to 60 minutes for bacterial spores
• New authorization for ‘Ecolab CMIT-MIT BPF’ product family for use in cooling systems, paper industry, and food areas

3. Trade-related measures:

• Import restrictions on poultry products from specific regions in Canada, UK, and US due to avian influenza
• Anti-dumping duties on biodiesel from China ranging from 10% to 35.6%
• Registration requirements for fused alumina imports from China
• Ban on bovine offal imports from Japan due to lumpy skin disease

4. Technical regulations:

• New 2% de minimis threshold for reporting deviations in CAP unit amounts
• Reclassification of LED strips from ‘other lighting fittings’ to ‘LED modules’ in the Combined Nomenclature
• Technical correction adding missing Annex listing Chinese companies for mobile access equipment anti-dumping duties

Review of each of legal acts published today:

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/288 of 5 February 2025 on the registration of the geographical indication Melon de Cavaillon (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council

This Commission Implementing Regulation registers the geographical indication ‘Melon de Cavaillon’ as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the EU register of geographical indications. The regulation is based on France’s application and implements provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 on geographical indications for various agricultural products.The regulation consists of two main articles. Article 1 formally enters ‘Melon de Cavaillon’ in the Union register of geographical indications, while Article 2 establishes that the regulation enters into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.The key aspects of this regulation include:

• The application was originally submitted by France under the previous Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012
• No opposition was received during the prescribed period under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143
• The registration provides protection for ‘Melon de Cavaillon’ as a geographical indication across all EU member states

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/223 of 6 February 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1423 as regards minor changes to the Union authorisation for the biocidal product family Hydrogen Peroxide Family 1

This is a Commission Implementing Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2022/1423 regarding minor changes to the Union authorisation for the biocidal product family ‘Hydrogen Peroxide Family 1’.The regulation introduces the following changes to five uses of the products in meta summary of biocidal product characteristics 5:

• Amending the contact time from 30 minutes to 60 minutes for bacterial spores in clean conditions
• Amending the contact time from 5 min to 60 min for Clostridium difficile spores in clean conditions
• Removing the claim of 60 minutes for bacterial spores in dirty conditions

The regulation contains detailed technical specifications for the biocidal product family, including:

• Administrative information about authorisation holders and manufacturers
• Product composition and formulation details
• Hazard and precautionary statements
• Authorised uses and application methods
• Risk mitigation measures
• Storage conditions and shelf life

The changes were approved based on an opinion from the European Chemicals Agency confirming that the conditions of Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 continue to be met after implementation of these minor modifications.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/287 of 5 February 2025 on the registration of the geographical indication Miel wallon (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council

This Commission Implementing Regulation registers ‘Miel wallon’ (Walloon honey) as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the EU register of geographical indications. The registration follows Belgium’s application and ensures legal protection of this specific honey product from the Walloon region.The regulation consists of two main articles. Article 1 formally enters ‘Miel wallon’ into the Union register of geographical indications as a PGI. Article 2 establishes that the regulation becomes effective twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.The registration process was initiated under the previous Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 but was completed under the new Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. Notably, no opposition was received during the mandatory opposition period, which allowed for the successful registration of this geographical indication.Key aspects of this regulation include:

• The formal recognition of ‘Miel wallon’ as a protected geographical indication
• The transition of the application process from the old to the new regulatory framework
• The binding nature of the regulation across all EU Member States

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/320 of 11 February 2025 amending Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the entries for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry, and of fresh meat of poultry and game birds

This Commission Implementing Regulation amends the rules for importing poultry, poultry products, and game birds from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States into the European Union due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in these countries.The regulation modifies Annexes V and XIV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, which contain lists of third countries and territories authorized to export poultry and poultry products to the EU. The changes include suspending imports from newly affected areas and reauthorizing imports from areas where the disease situation has been resolved.The main provisions include:

• Suspension of imports from Quebec (Canada), Norfolk and Yorkshire (UK), and multiple states in the US (Arizona, California, Delaware, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania) due to new HPAI outbreaks
• Reauthorization of imports from certain areas in Norfolk, UK where previous HPAI outbreaks have been successfully controlled
• Technical correction to the description of an affected zone in Wisconsin, US
• Detailed geographical coordinates and descriptions of all affected zones

The regulation provides specific dates when restrictions begin and end for each affected area, along with precise geographical descriptions of the restricted zones (typically 10km radius circles around outbreak locations). The measures take effect immediately upon publication to prevent disease spread while minimizing unnecessary trade disruption.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/266 of 11 February 2025 correcting Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/45 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitely collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of mobile access equipment originating in the People’s Republic of China

This is a technical correction to the EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/45 regarding anti-dumping duties on mobile access equipment imported from China. The correction adds a missing Annex that lists cooperating Chinese companies subject to the anti-dumping measures. The regulation applies retroactively from January 10, 2025.The regulation consists of two main articles and an Annex. Article 1 adds the missing Annex to the original regulation, while Article 2 establishes the entry into force and retroactive application. The Annex contains a list of 14 Chinese companies with their corresponding TARIC additional codes.The key provisions include:
– Addition of the previously omitted list of cooperating Chinese companies
– Assignment of specific TARIC additional codes to each listed company
– Retroactive application to ensure proper implementation of anti-dumping duties
– Full binding effect across all EU Member States

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/310 of 5 December 2024 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127 as regards the annual performance clearance and conformity procedure

This Regulation amends the rules regarding annual performance clearance and conformity procedures in EU agricultural funding. It introduces a simplified approach to reporting deviations in unit amounts under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), establishing a 2% de minimis threshold below which Member States don’t need to provide detailed justifications. The act also clarifies procedures for flat-rate corrections in cases of non-compliance.The Regulation consists of two main articles. Article 1 introduces three key amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127: establishing the de minimis threshold, clarifying flat-rate correction procedures for the Commission, and specifying conditions for using lower flat rates in conformity procedures. Article 2 sets the entry into force provisions.Key provisions include:

• Introduction of a 2% de minimis threshold for reporting deviations in unit amounts, reducing administrative burden for Member States
• Mandatory justification requirement remains for all cases where realized unit amounts exceed maximum planned unit amounts
• Clarification of flat-rate correction procedures when objective evidence shows lower potential losses to Union funds
• Application of new reporting requirements starting from financial year 2024

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/274 of 12 February 2025 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 55 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 on the control of recreational fisheries

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/280 of 5 February 2025 on the registration of the geographical indication Yläsavolainen muurinpohjalettu (PGI) in the Union register of geographical indications pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council

This Regulation registers the geographical indication ‘Yläsavolainen muurinpohjalettu’ as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the EU register of geographical indications. The registration follows Finland’s application and ensures legal protection for this specific product name within the European Union.The Regulation consists of two main articles. Article 1 formally enters the geographical indication ‘Yläsavolainen muurinpohjalettu’ into the Union register of geographical indications. Article 2 establishes that the Regulation becomes effective on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.The registration process followed the standard procedure where the application was first published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and no opposition was received during the designated period. This registration is made under the new Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, which replaced the previous Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs.Key aspects of the registration include:

• The product is registered as a PGI, which means it has a specific link to its geographical area of production
• The registration provides legal protection against misuse or imitation of the product name
• The registration is binding and directly applicable in all EU Member States

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/260 of 10 February 2025 making imports of fused alumina originating in the People’s Republic of China subject to registration

This Commission Implementing Regulation establishes registration requirements for imports of fused alumina (artificial corundum) from China following an anti-dumping complaint. The regulation aims to enable potential retroactive collection of anti-dumping duties if the investigation confirms dumping practices. The registration requirement will last for nine months from the regulation’s entry into force.The regulation consists of two main articles. Article 1 defines the scope of registration requirements, specifying the exact CN and TARIC codes for products subject to registration, while also clearly identifying excluded products. Article 2 addresses the entry into force provisions. The regulation includes detailed preliminary information about estimated dumping margins (97-215%) and injury elimination levels (100-200%), though these are noted as indicative only.Key provisions include:
– Registration applies to specific types of fused alumina classified under CN codes 2818 10 11, 2818 10 19, ex 2818 10 91, and 2818 10 99
– Explicit exclusion of certain products like sintered corundum with specific chemical composition (TARIC code 2818 10 91 30)
– Nine-month registration period
– Registration is based on a complaint by Imerys S.A., representing over 25% of EU production
– Possibility of retroactive collection of anti-dumping duties if investigation confirms dumping

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/261 of 10 February 2025 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel originating in the People’s Republic of China

This Regulation imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of biodiesel originating from China. The duties range from 10% to 35.6% depending on the exporting producer.The Regulation follows a complaint lodged by the European Biodiesel Board in November 2023 and provisional measures imposed in August 2024. The investigation found evidence of dumping by Chinese producers causing material injury to the EU biodiesel industry.Key provisions include:- Detailed product scope covering fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters and paraffinic gasoils, excluding sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)- Individual duty rates for sampled Chinese producers ranging from 10% to 35.6%- A duty rate of 21.7% for cooperating non-sampled producers- A residual duty rate of 35.6% for all other Chinese producers- Requirements for valid commercial invoices to apply individual duty rates- Provisions for new exporting producers to request individual rates- Definitive collection of provisional dutiesThe most significant aspects are:- The exclusion of SAF from the scope despite industry concerns about circumvention risks- The establishment of separate TARIC codes for monitoring SAF imports- The finding that Chinese imports caused price suppression in the EU market- The confirmation of material injury to EU producers through declining market share and profitability- The determination that measures are in the Union interest despite potential supply chain impacts

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/259 of 10 February 2025 amending Annex XIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the entry for Japan in the lists of third countries or territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of ungulates

This Commission Implementing Regulation amends the rules for importing fresh meat from Japan to the European Union due to confirmed outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Japanese bovine animals. The regulation specifically prohibits the import of bovine offal from Japan while maintaining the permission for other bovine meat imports.The regulation modifies Annex XIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 by adding a specific condition ‘No offal’ to the entry for Japan. This change is based on international standards, particularly the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code, which does not consider offal as a safe commodity in cases of LSD infection.The main provisions include:

• Suspension of bovine offal imports from Japan to the EU
• Continuation of other bovine meat imports from Japan under existing conditions
• Maintenance of Japan’s general authorization for bovine animals and ruminant meat separated mechanically
• Implementation of the regulation on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/263 of 10 February 2025 granting a Union authorisation for the biocidal product family Ecolab CMIT-MIT BPF in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council

This is a Commission Implementing Regulation granting Union authorization for the biocidal product family ‘Ecolab CMIT-MIT BPF’ containing C(M)IT/MIT (3:1) as the active substance.The regulation authorizes the use of this biocidal product family in three main areas:

• As preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems (PT11)
• As slimicides in paper/pulp industry (PT12)
• As preservatives in food and feed areas (PT04)

The key provisions include:

• Authorization period: March 3, 2025 – February 28, 2035
• The product family contains 2.6-7.51% of the active substance C(M)IT/MIT (3:1)
• Detailed conditions of use, application rates and risk mitigation measures are specified for each use
• Requirements for professional/industrial use only with appropriate personal protective equipment
• Environmental protection measures including wastewater treatment requirements

The regulation provides comprehensive technical specifications, safety requirements and usage instructions through a structured Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) format covering three meta SPCs with different concentrations of the active substance.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/289 of 6 February 2025 repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) No 708/2013 concerning the classification of certain goods in the Combined Nomenclature

This Commission Implementing Regulation repeals the previous classification of LED strips in the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union. The act changes the classification of LED strip lights from ‘other lighting fittings’ to ‘light-emitting diode (LED) modules’ to align with international standards. This change follows a decision by the World Customs Organisation’s Harmonized System Committee.The regulation consists of two main articles: Article 1 repeals the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) No 708/2013, and Article 2 establishes the entry into force provision. The act is supported by eight recitals explaining the reasoning behind the change, particularly focusing on the technical characteristics of LED strips and their proper classification.The key provisions of this act center on the reclassification of LED strip products. Previously, these products were classified under CN code 9405 40 99 as ‘other lighting fittings.’ Following the WCO’s classification opinion 8539.51/1, these products are now to be classified under CN Code 8539 51 00 as ‘light-emitting diode (LED) modules.’ This change applies to flexible LED tape lights that consist of LEDs aligned on a printed circuit board, commonly used for task and accent lighting in various applications.