Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1399
This regulation modifies existing rules on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related compounds, primarily used in fire-fighting foams. It extends a specific exemption for PFOA use in existing fire-fighting systems until December 3, 2025. It also sets a specific unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limit of 1 mg/kg for PFOA or its salts and 10 mg/kg for any individual or combination of PFOA-related compounds in fire-fighting foams already installed in systems until August 3, 2028. A UTC limit of 10 mg/kg is set for the sum of PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds in fluorine-free fire-fighting foams installed after cleaning fire-fighting systems. The regulation defines “fire-fighting foam” broadly and allows continued use of articles containing PFOA already in use before exemption expiry. Furthermore, it removes the Commission’s obligation to review UTC limits for PFOA in medical devices and transported isolated intermediates. Finally, it corrects a reference to “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS)” to “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and PFOS-related compounds”.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1343
This regulation grants EU-wide protection to the geographical indication (GI) ‘Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe’ for chestnuts originating from a specific region in Albania. It means that only chestnuts from that area can be sold in the EU under that name. This protection prevents misuse or imitation of the name for chestnuts not originating from the designated area in Albania.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290
This regulation lays down the technical specifications for the EU’s new central electronic system for managing waste shipments. It sets out how national systems and business software must communicate with the central system, covering everything from user registration to data exchange protocols and document authentication. Key provisions include mandatory interoperability testing for national systems, standardized identification numbers for waste shipments, and rules for data storage, access, and security. The goal is to streamline waste shipment processes and improve enforcement by ensuring consistent data exchange and tracking across the EU.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1342
This regulation imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of multilayered wood flooring (MWF) from China. It specifies the duty rates for various Chinese producers and exporters, finalizing earlier provisional duties. To benefit from the individual duty rates, importers must present a valid commercial invoice with a specific declaration signed by an official of the Chinese exporting company. Certain types of flooring, like bamboo flooring, are excluded. It also includes measures to prevent circumvention of the duties by monitoring imports of certain CN codes and imports originating/consigned from other third countries. The regulation also retroactively collects the provisional duties imposed.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1408
This regulation formally adds Bulgaria to the list of countries adopting the euro. It sets the date for Bulgaria’s euro adoption as January 1, 2026, with euro banknotes and coins becoming legal tender on the same day, without any phasing-out period for the Bulgarian lev.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1409
This regulation fixes the conversion rate between the Bulgarian lev and the euro at 1.95583 lev per 1 euro. This rate will be used for all financial transactions and currency exchanges starting January 1, 2026, when Bulgaria adopts the euro.
Regulation (EU) 2025/1355 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2025/22)
This European Central Bank regulation establishes oversight requirements for systemically important payment systems (SIPS). This regulation expands the definition of “SIPS operator” to include branches established in the euro area that are legally dependent parts of legal entities established outside the euro area. It strengthens governance and risk management framework, with focus on critical functions, operations, and services. The regulation also focuses on cyber resilience, with specific requirements for a cyber resilience strategy and framework and clarifies the responsibilities of SIPS operators when outsourcing functions, operations, or services, and requires the establishment of comprehensive outsourcing frameworks.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1399 of 5 May 2025 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds
This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1399 amends Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 regarding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and PFOA-related compounds. The regulation adjusts specific exemptions and unintentional trace contaminant (UTC) limits for these substances, particularly in the context of fire-fighting foams. It aims to provide operators with sufficient time to transition away from foams containing PFOA while ensuring clarity on the types of foams covered.
The regulation modifies the existing entry for PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. Key changes include:
* **Extension of Exemption:** Extends the specific exemption for the use of PFOA in fire-fighting foam for liquid fuel vapor suppression and liquid fuel fires already installed in systems from July 4, 2025, to December 3, 2025.
* **Specific UTC Limit for Fire-Fighting Foams:** Sets a specific UTC limit of 1 mg/kg for PFOA or its salts and 10 mg/kg for any individual or combination of PFOA-related compounds in fire-fighting foams and concentrates already installed in systems until August 3, 2028.
* **UTC Limit for Fluorine-Free Foams:** Establishes a UTC limit of 10 mg/kg for the sum of PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds in fluorine-free fire-fighting foams installed after cleaning fire-fighting systems.
* **Definition of Fire-Fighting Foam:** Adds a definition clarifying that “fire-fighting foam” covers any mixture to fight fires with foam, including concentrates and solutions.
* **Continued Use of Articles:** Allows articles containing PFOA, its salts, or PFOA-related compounds already in use before the expiry date of relevant exemptions to continue being used.
* **Removal of Review Clauses:** Deletes the obligation for the Commission to review UTC limits for PFOA in medical devices and substances used as transported isolated intermediates.
* **Correction of Terminology:** Corrects a reference to “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS)” to “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and PFOS-related compounds”.
The most important provisions for practical use are the extended exemption for PFOA in existing fire-fighting systems until December 3, 2025, and the specific UTC limits for PFOA and related compounds in fire-fighting foams and fluorine-free foams. These changes provide operators with a defined timeframe and limits for transitioning to alternative substances while ensuring continued safety and compliance.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1343 of 11 July 2025 granting protection in the Union to the Geographical Indication Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe registered in the International Register of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications of the Geneva Act
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1343 grants protection within the European Union to the geographical indication (GI) ‘Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe,’ which is registered in the International Register of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications under the Geneva Act. The regulation acknowledges that the GI, applied for by Albania, was recorded in the International Register and that no oppositions were received following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This protection means that the name ‘Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe’ can only be used in the EU for chestnuts originating from the specified geographical area in Albania.
The regulation consists of a preamble outlining the legal basis and reasoning behind the decision, followed by two articles. Article 1 states that the name ‘Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe’ is protected in the Union as a Geographical Indication for chestnuts. Article 2 specifies that the regulation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and that it is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. There are no direct changes to previous versions, as this is the initial implementation regulation for this specific GI. However, it operates within the framework established by Regulation (EU) 2019/1753 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1143.
The most important provision is Article 1, which grants legal protection to the name ‘Gështenja e Malësisë së Madhe’ within the EU. This protection prevents the misuse, imitation, or evocation of the name for chestnuts not originating from the designated area in Albania, ensuring fair competition and protecting consumers from misleading products.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 of 2 July 2025 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the requirements necessary for the interoperability between the central system for the electronic submission and exchange of information and documents related to shipments of waste and other systems or software, as well as other technical and organisational requirements necessary for the practical implementation of such electronic submission and exchange of information and documents
Here’s a breakdown of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation sets the stage for a digital transformation in how the EU manages waste shipments. It establishes the technical and organizational rules needed for a central electronic system to communicate with national systems and other software used by businesses. The goal is to streamline the exchange of information and documents related to waste shipments, making the process more efficient and improving enforcement of waste shipment regulations.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
The regulation is structured around ensuring interoperability and practical implementation of electronic waste shipment management. Key aspects include:
* **General Provisions (Chapter 1):** Defines the scope and key terms like “central system,” “local system,” “operators,” and “authorities.” It also clarifies ownership and responsibility for data within the systems.
* **Access and Registration (Articles 4-8):** Mandates competent authorities to declare how they will access the central system and sets rules for user registration, including identifying operators and their sites.
* **Interoperability Requirements (Chapter 2):** Details the technical requirements for the central system to work with local systems and other software. This includes protocols for data exchange, document authentication, and generating unique identification numbers for notifications and shipments.
* **Functionalities of the Systems (Article 17):** Specifies functionalities of the systems and software.
* **Practical Implementation (Chapter 3):** Outlines requirements for access to information, data storage, security, data governance, and data confidentiality. It also includes provisions for the processing and protection of personal data within the system.
* **Other Requirements (Chapter 4):** Imposes additional obligations on competent authorities, such as providing lists of pre-consented facilities and ensuring operators are informed about the new electronic system. It also outlines the Commission’s obligations to provide support and publish relevant information.
* **Final Provisions (Chapter 5):** Sets the date of entry into force for the regulation.
**3. Main Provisions for Practical Use:**
* **Interoperability Testing (Article 11):** Competent authorities intending to use their own local systems must undergo testing to ensure their systems can properly exchange data with the central system. This is crucial for a smooth transition to the new electronic system.
* **Data Exchange Protocol (Article 12 & Annex II):** The regulation specifies a detailed protocol for how data must be exchanged between systems. This is essential for developers of local systems and software to ensure compatibility.
* **Authentication of Documents (Article 14):** The systems must ensure that key documents are authenticated, providing a record of who submitted the information and when. This adds a layer of security and accountability to the process.
* **Identification Numbers (Article 15):** Standardized rules for generating notification, Annex VII document, and movement document numbers are established. This ensures consistency and facilitates tracking of waste shipments across the EU.
* **Data Storage and Protection (Articles 19 & 24):** The regulation sets specific requirements for how long data must be stored and how personal data must be protected. This is important for compliance with data protection laws.
* **Access to Information (Article 18):** Specifies which actors have access to which documents and information within the system, based on their role in the waste shipment process.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1342 of 11 July 2025 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of multilayered wood flooring originating in the People’s Republic of China
Here’s a breakdown of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1342:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of multilayered wood flooring (MWF) originating from China. It finalizes the provisional duties that were put in place earlier and specifies the exact anti-dumping duty rates for various Chinese producers and exporters. The regulation follows an investigation that determined that Chinese MWF imports were being dumped on the EU market, causing material injury to the Union industry. It also retroactively collects the provisional duties imposed.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Background:** The regulation outlines the history of the investigation, including the initial complaint, initiation of the investigation, registration of imports, and imposition of provisional measures.
* **Product Definition:** It confirms the definition of the product under investigation (multilayered wood flooring) and the “like product” produced by the Union industry.
* **Dumping:** This section details the methodology used to determine dumping, including the establishment of a normal value (based on a representative country, Türkiye) and the comparison with export prices. It addresses arguments made by interested parties regarding the choice of the representative country, benchmarks for SG&A expenses and profit, and adjustments to normal value.
* **Injury:** This part assesses the injury suffered by the Union industry due to the dumped imports, considering factors like production, sales, market share, prices, and profitability. It responds to arguments made by interested parties concerning the injury analysis.
* **Causation:** The regulation examines the causal link between the dumped imports and the injury to the Union industry, addressing arguments related to other potential factors that may have contributed to the injury.
* **Level of Measures:** It determines the level of anti-dumping duties necessary to remove the injury to the Union industry, calculating the injury margin and setting the definitive anti-dumping duty rates.
* **Union Interest:** This section assesses whether imposing anti-dumping duties is in the overall interest of the Union, considering the interests of the Union industry, importers, users, and consumers.
* **Definitive Anti-Dumping Measures:** This section formalizes the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties, specifying the duty rates for individual companies and for all other imports originating in China. It also addresses the retroactive collection of provisional duties and includes measures to prevent circumvention of the duties.
**3. Main Provisions for Practical Use:**
* **Definitive Anti-Dumping Duty Rates (Article 1):** This is the core of the regulation. It lists the specific anti-dumping duty rates applicable to different Chinese companies and a general rate for all other Chinese imports. Importers need to know these rates to calculate the duties payable on their imports.
* **Invoice Requirement (Article 1(3)):** To benefit from the individual duty rates, importers must present a valid commercial invoice with a specific declaration signed by an official of the Chinese exporting company. This is crucial for customs clearance.
* **Product Exclusion (Article 1(4)):** The regulation explicitly excludes certain types of flooring (bamboo flooring and mosaic floors) from the anti-dumping duties.
* **Retroactive Collection of Provisional Duties (Article 3):** This means that importers may have to pay additional duties on imports that were already registered before the definitive duties came into force.
* **Special Monitoring (Section 9):** The Commission will be monitoring imports of certain CN codes and imports originating/consigned from other third countries to minimize the risk of circumvention.
* **Amendment to add new exporting producers (Article 4):** Provides conditions for adding new exporting producers from the People’s Republic of China and make them subject to the appropriate weighted average anti-dumping duty rate for cooperating companies not included in the sample.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1408 of 8 July 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 974/98 as regards the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria
This Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1408 amends Regulation (EC) No 974/98 to include Bulgaria among the Member States adopting the euro. The regulation sets the date for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria as 1 January 2026, with euro banknotes and coins becoming legal tender on the same day. This means Bulgaria will adopt the euro without a phasing-out period for its national currency.
The regulation consists of two articles. Article 1 amends the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 974/98 by inserting an entry for Bulgaria, specifying the euro adoption date (1 January 2026), the cash changeover date (1 January 2026), and confirming that there will be no phasing-out period. Article 2 states that the regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
The most important provision is the inclusion of Bulgaria in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 974/98, which legally establishes 1 January 2026 as the date when Bulgaria will switch to the euro. The absence of a phasing-out period is also significant, meaning the Bulgarian currency will be immediately replaced by the euro on that date.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1409 of 8 July 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 2866/98 as regards the conversion rate to the euro for Bulgaria
This Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1409 amends Regulation (EC) No 2866/98 to establish the conversion rate between the euro and the Bulgarian lev. This regulation is a direct consequence of Bulgaria’s upcoming adoption of the euro on January 1, 2026. The regulation definitively sets the conversion rate, which is crucial for the smooth transition of Bulgaria into the Eurozone.
The regulation consists of two articles. Article 1 amends Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 2866/98 by inserting the conversion rate for the Bulgarian lev. The rate is fixed at 1.95583 lev per 1 euro. Article 2 stipulates that the regulation will come into force on January 1, 2026, coinciding with Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro.
The most important provision of this regulation is the fixed conversion rate of 1.95583 lev per 1 euro. This rate is essential for all financial transactions, accounting, and currency exchanges involving the Bulgarian lev and the euro from January 1, 2026. It ensures a stable and predictable transition for businesses and individuals in Bulgaria as they switch to the euro.
Regulation (EU) 2025/1355 of the European Central Bank of 2 July 2025 on oversight requirements for systemically important payment systems (ECB/2025/22) (recast)
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the Regulation (EU) 2025/1355 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2025/22) on oversight requirements for systemically important payment systems (SIPS), which is a recast of a previous regulation.
This regulation aims to ensure the smooth operation of payment systems within the Eurosystem by establishing clear oversight requirements for payment systems deemed systemically important. It outlines the criteria for identifying a payment system as a SIPS, designates the SIPS operator responsible for compliance, and sets forth specific requirements related to legal soundness, governance, risk management, and operational resilience. The regulation also details the powers of competent authorities to oversee SIPS and enforce compliance, including corrective measures and sanctions.
The regulation is structured into seven parts:
* **Part I** defines the subject matter, scope, and key terms used throughout the regulation.
* **Part II** specifies the criteria and procedures for identifying a payment system as a SIPS.
* **Part III** outlines the requirements imposed on SIPS operators, covering aspects such as legal soundness, governance, risk management, credit risk, liquidity risk, final settlement, participant default rules, and operational risk.
* **Part IV** details the powers and responsibilities of competent authorities in overseeing SIPS.
* **Part V** establishes the framework for corrective measures and sanctions in cases of non-compliance.
* **Part VI** mandates a periodic review of the application of the regulation.
* **Part VII** contains repeal and final provisions, including the repeal of the previous Regulation (EU) No 795/2014 (ECB/2014/28).
Compared to the previous version, this recast regulation includes several key changes and clarifications:
* **Expanded Definition of SIPS Operator:** The definition of “SIPS operator” is extended to include branches established in the euro area that are legally dependent parts of legal entities established outside the euro area.
* **Enhanced Governance Requirements:** The regulation places greater emphasis on the governance arrangements of SIPS, including the roles and responsibilities of the Board and Management, and the establishment of risk committees.
* **Strengthened Risk Management Framework:** The regulation reinforces the requirements for comprehensive risk management, including the identification of critical functions, operations, and services, and the preparation of viable recovery and orderly wind-down plans.
* **Increased Focus on Cyber Resilience:** In light of the increasing threat of cyber attacks, the regulation introduces specific requirements for a cyber resilience strategy and framework, including the performance of threat-led penetration testing.
* **Clarified Outsourcing Requirements:** The regulation clarifies the responsibilities of SIPS operators when outsourcing functions, operations, or services, and requires the establishment of comprehensive outsourcing frameworks.
Some of the most important provisions for practical use include:
* **Article 3:** This article defines the criteria for identifying a payment system as a SIPS, which triggers the application of the oversight requirements under the regulation.
* **Articles 8-27:** These articles outline the specific requirements imposed on SIPS operators, covering a wide range of areas such as legal soundness, governance, risk management, and operational resilience.
* **Article 29:** This article details the powers of competent authorities to oversee SIPS and enforce compliance, including the power to obtain information, require independent investigations, and conduct on-site inspections.
* **Articles 32 and 33:** These articles establish the framework for corrective measures and sanctions in cases of non-compliance, providing competent authorities with the tools to address infringements of the regulation.
