Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2180 on European Green Bonds
This regulation sets the rules for registering and overseeing external reviewers of European Green Bonds. It focuses on ensuring these reviewers are trustworthy and competent. Key elements include requiring reviewers’ management to be reputable and skilled, having enough qualified staff, managing conflicts of interest effectively, and ensuring that outsourcing any work doesn’t lower the quality of reviews. These rules are designed to maintain the integrity and reliability of the European Green Bond market.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1775 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818
This regulation clarifies what weapons are banned in EU climate benchmarks. It replaces the term “controversial weapons” with “prohibited weapons,” which are defined as those banned by major international arms treaties like anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, and biological/chemical weapons. This ensures that companies involved in producing these weapons are excluded from EU Climate Transition and Paris-aligned Benchmarks, aligning financial products with international norms.
Directive (EU) 2025/2647 on Alternative Dispute Resolution
This Directive expands access to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for consumers. It now covers disputes with traders outside the EU and those involving digital content and services, even if consumers pay with data instead of money. The Directive pushes for greater trader participation in ADR, ensures ADR entities are competent, promotes the use of technology in ADR, and maintains consumer rights. It also tasks Member States with setting up ADR contact points to help with cross-border disputes, filling the gap left by the discontinuation of the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2179 on European Green Bonds External Reviewers
This regulation specifies how companies apply to become registered external reviewers for European Green Bonds. It details the formats, templates, and procedures for submitting the necessary information to ESMA. The goal is to standardize the application process, making it easier for ESMA to assess applicants and ensuring that the data is managed securely and efficiently.
Regulation (EU) 2025/2649 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
This regulation introduces changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to simplify and improve its implementation. Key changes include greater flexibility in defining permanent grassland, exemptions for small farmers from certain environmental requirements, and simplified procedures for amending CAP Strategic Plans. The changes also include increased payments for small farmers, more flexible risk management tools, and increased advance payments. This regulation aims to make the CAP more responsive to farmers’ needs and more effective in achieving its objectives.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2662 establishing a fisheries closure for Mediterranean albacore
This regulation bans Italian vessels from fishing for Mediterranean albacore in the Mediterranean Sea starting December 5, 2025. This ban is necessary because Italy has used up its entire quota for this fish stock for the year. The goal is to prevent overfishing and protect the albacore population.
Regulation (EU) 2025/2645 on compulsory licensing during crises
This regulation allows the EU to issue compulsory licenses for patented products during crises if voluntary agreements fail. It enables the European Commission to authorize the use of intellectual property rights without the consent of the right holder. The goal is to ensure the availability of products needed to address crises affecting the EU’s internal market and public health, acting only as a last resort and under strict conditions including remuneration to the right holder, limited scope and duration, and prohibition of export outside of EU (with exceptions for public health emergencies).
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2180 of 12 September 2025 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the conditions for the registration of external reviewers, the criteria for assessing the sound and prudent management of external reviewers, the appropriateness of the knowledge, experience and training of the external reviewers’ employees, and the conditions under which external reviewers can outsource their assessment activities
This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2180 supplements Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 on European Green Bonds. It establishes regulatory technical standards concerning the registration and oversight of external reviewers who assess these bonds. The regulation outlines specific conditions for registration, criteria for evaluating the sound management of external reviewers, the necessary qualifications and training of their staff, and the conditions under which they can outsource assessment activities.
The Regulation is structured around key areas related to the operation and oversight of external reviewers of European Green Bonds. It consists of 11 articles.
* **Article 1** specifies the criteria for determining the good repute of senior management and board members of external reviewers.
* **Article 2** outlines the criteria for assessing the skills, qualifications, and experience of the senior management and board members.
* **Article 3** focuses on determining whether the number of analysts and employees involved in assessment activities is sufficient.
* **Article 4** details the criteria for assessing the knowledge, experience, and training of analysts and employees.
* **Article 5** sets out criteria for assessing the sound and prudent management of external reviewers.
* **Article 6** specifies criteria for assessing the management of conflicts of interest.
* **Article 7** outlines criteria for assessing the ability and capacity of third-party service providers to perform assessment activities.
* **Article 8** ensures that outsourcing assessment activities does not impair the quality of internal control.
* **Article 9** ensures that outsourcing does not impair ESMA’s supervisory capabilities.
* **Article 10** requires regular evaluation of outsourcing criteria.
* **Article 11** specifies the entry into force date.
The most important provisions of this act relate to the criteria for registration and ongoing supervision of external reviewers. Specifically, the requirements regarding the good repute, skills, and experience of senior management and staff (Articles 1, 2, and 4) are crucial for ensuring the integrity and quality of external reviews. Additionally, the provisions on managing conflicts of interest (Article 6) and outsourcing assessment activities (Articles 7, 8, and 9) are vital for maintaining the independence and reliability of the review process.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1775 of 28 August 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 as regards the definition of prohibited weapons
This Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1775 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818, focusing on the definition of prohibited weapons within the context of EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks. The amendment aims to clarify and simplify the definition of “controversial weapons” by replacing it with “prohibited weapons,” aligning it with international arms conventions. This change seeks to provide legal certainty and consistency for benchmark administrators under Regulation (EU) 2016/1011.
The Regulation consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 amends Article 12(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818, replacing references to “companies involved in any activities related to controversial weapons” with “companies involved in any activities related to prohibited weapons.” It also provides a specific definition of “prohibited weapons” as anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions, biological and chemical weapons, the use, possession, development, transfer, manufacture, and stockpiling of which is expressly prohibited by international arms conventions to which the majority of Member States are parties, as listed in the Annex. Article 2 specifies the entry into force and application date of the Regulation, with a delayed application for existing benchmarks authorized before the entry into force. The Annex lists the specific international treaties and conventions that define the prohibited weapons.
The most important provision is the revised definition of prohibited weapons, which directly impacts the exclusion criteria for companies included in EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks. This change ensures that the benchmarks align with international norms on prohibited weapons, providing greater clarity and consistency for financial actors using these benchmarks. The delayed application date for existing benchmarks is also important, as it allows benchmark administrators time to adapt to the new requirements.
Directive (EU) 2025/2647 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2025 amending Directive 2013/11/EU on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Directives (EU) 2015/2302, (EU) 2019/2161 and (EU) 2020/1828 following the discontinuation of the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform (Text with EEA relevance)
Directive (EU) 2025/2647 aims to improve access to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for consumers in the EU. It broadens the scope of the existing Directive 2013/11/EU to include disputes with traders from outside the EU and those involving digital content and services, even when consumers provide personal data instead of monetary payment. The Directive seeks to enhance the fairness and efficiency of ADR procedures by promoting trader participation, ensuring the competence of ADR entities, and leveraging technological advancements while maintaining transparency and consumer rights. It also addresses the discontinuation of the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform by assigning related tasks to ADR contact points.
The Directive amends Directive 2013/11/EU and also makes related changes to Directives (EU) 2015/2302, (EU) 2019/2161 and (EU) 2020/1828. The main changes to Directive 2013/11/EU include:
* **Scope Extension:** It extends the scope to include disputes with traders established outside the EU, provided they direct their activities towards a Member State. It also covers disputes related to digital content and services, including cases where consumers provide personal data instead of payment.
* **Promotion of Participation:** Member States are required to implement measures promoting the participation of traders and consumers in ADR procedures.
* **ADR Entity Competence:** ADR entities must be competent to handle disputes between traders outside the EU and consumers within the EU. They should also ensure accessibility for vulnerable consumers and those with varying levels of digital literacy.
* **Use of Technology:** The Directive addresses the use of automated means in ADR decision-making, requiring transparency and the option for a review by a natural person. It also allows ADR entities to bundle similar cases to improve efficiency and consistency.
* **Trader Engagement:** Traders are required to respond to ADR entities’ inquiries about their participation in a proposed ADR procedure within a specified timeframe.
* **Reporting and Information:** Simplifies reporting requirements for ADR entities and national competent authorities.
* **Consumer Awareness:** Traders must provide clear and easily accessible information about ADR procedures on their websites and in their general terms and conditions.
* **ADR Contact Points:** Member States must designate ADR contact points to assist consumers and traders in cross-border disputes, facilitating communication and providing necessary information.
* **Commission’s Role:** The Commission is tasked with developing a user-friendly digital interactive tool to provide information on consumer redress, including cross-border ADR, and to create a network of ADR contact points.
Key provisions for practical use:
* **Article 2(1):** Defines the scope of the Directive, including the types of disputes covered (domestic, cross-border, and third-country trader disputes) and the contracts to which it applies (sales and service contracts, including digital content and services).
* **Article 5:** Sets out the requirements for ADR entities, including maintaining an up-to-date website, providing digital and non-digital access to ADR procedures, ensuring transparency in the use of automated means, and bundling cases under certain conditions.
* **Article 5(8) and (9):** Establishes the obligation for ADR entities to contact traders and invite them to participate in the ADR procedure and sets a timeframe for traders to respond to the ADR entity regarding their participation.
* **Article 13:** Specifies the information traders must provide to consumers regarding ADR procedures, including on their websites and in their general terms and conditions.
* **Article 14:** Details the assistance to be provided in cross-border disputes, including the designation of ADR contact points and their tasks in facilitating communication and providing information.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2179 of 12 September 2025 laying down implementing technical standards for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the standard forms, templates, and procedures for the provision of the information for an application for registration as an external reviewer for European Green Bonds
This is a description of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2179.
**Essence of the Act:**
This regulation lays down the implementing technical standards (ITS) regarding the format, templates, and procedures for submitting information when applying to become a registered external reviewer for European Green Bonds (EuGBs). It ensures that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) receives the necessary information in a structured and machine-readable format to assess the eligibility of applicants. The regulation aims to standardize the application process, enhance data management, and ensure the security of submitted information.
**Structure and Main Provisions:**
The regulation consists of two articles and seven annexes:
* **Article 1:** Specifies that applicants must use the formats outlined in the annexes to provide information required under Article 23(1) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631. It mandates a machine-readable format for submitted information, ensuring accessibility and unchanged reproduction. A unique reference number must be assigned to each document, and a table (Annex I) must be included to identify where specific requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 are addressed. If a requirement is not applicable, the applicant must state this with an explanation. The application must include a signed letter from senior management attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the submitted information. It also sets the retention period for personal data related to applicants.
* **Article 2:** States the regulation’s entry into force, which is twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, and confirms its binding and directly applicable nature in all Member States.
* **Annex I:** Provides a template for documenting the references of submitted documents, linking them to specific requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/2631.
* **Annex II:** Specifies the required general information about the applicant, such as name, address, website, LEI, and contact details.
* **Annex III:** Details the information required regarding the ownership structure of the applicant, including owners, percentage of capital, nature of holding, and percentage of voting rights.
* **Annex IV:** Outlines the information needed for members of senior management and the board of the applicant, including personal details, roles, and submitted documents like CVs, proof of the absence of criminal records, and declarations of fitness, propriety, and conflicts of interest.
* **Annex V:** Focuses on the analytical resources of the applicant, including information about analysts, employees involved in assessment activities, the estimated duration of external reviews, and the expected number of assessments.
* **Annex VI:** Lists the policies and procedures of the applicant that need to be documented, such as training plans, internal control frameworks, whistleblower policies, remuneration policies, and conflicts of interest policies.
* **Annex VII:** Requires information on other activities of the applicant, including a description and NACE code, and whether these activities are offered through subsidiaries.
**Main Provisions for Use:**
The most important provisions for applicants are those that detail the specific information required and the format in which it must be submitted. This includes:
* Using the provided annexes as templates for organizing and submitting information.
* Ensuring all documents are in a machine-readable format.
* Providing a unique reference number for each document and clearly linking it to the relevant requirement in Regulation (EU) 2023/2631.
* Including a signed letter from senior management attesting to the accuracy of the information.
* Understanding the data retention periods for personal data.
Regulation (EU) 2025/2649 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 as regards the conditionality system, types of intervention in the form of direct payment, types of intervention in certain sectors and rural development and annual performance reports and Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 as regards suspensions of payments, annual performance clearance and controls and penalties
Here is a description of the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2025/2649:
1. This regulation amends Regulations (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 to simplify and improve the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The changes affect the conditionality system, direct payment interventions, sector-specific interventions, rural development, and annual performance reports. The regulation also addresses payment suspensions, annual performance clearance, and controls and penalties.
2. The regulation consists of 4 articles and 2 annexes. It amends several articles of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, including those related to the definition of permanent grassland, WTO compliance, conditionality, GAEC standards, risk management tools, payments for small farmers, eco-schemes, operational programs, rural development interventions, financial instruments, and CAP Strategic Plans. It also amends Regulation (EU) 2021/2116, modifying articles related to monthly payments, interim payments, suspensions of payments, advance payments, clearance of accounts, financial instruments, controls, and penalties. The regulation introduces a new Annex XV to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, which sets maximum financial allocations for crisis payments to farmers. The regulation also deletes Article 120 and 159 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.
3. Some of the most important provisions include:
* **Flexibility in defining permanent grassland:** Member States can extend the period for classifying land as permanent grassland from five to seven years and decide that land remains arable land even after the five- or seven-year period.
* **Exemption of small farmers from conditionality:** Small farmers receiving payments under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 are exempt from the conditionality system.
* **Presumption of compliance for organic farmers:** Farmers certified under Regulation (EU) 2018/848 are presumed to comply with certain GAEC standards.
* **Flexibility in risk management:** Member States have more flexibility in implementing risk management tools and calculating losses for beneficiaries.
* **Increased payments for small farmers:** The maximum payment for small farmers is increased, and Member States can exclude eco-scheme payments from the maximum amount.
* **Simplified amendment procedures for CAP Strategic Plans:** The regulation introduces a distinction between strategic and non-strategic amendments, with the latter only requiring notification to the Commission.
* **Crisis payments for farmers:** Member States can provide crisis payments to farmers affected by natural disasters or catastrophic events.
* **Increased advance payments:** The maximum rates for advance payments are permanently increased.
* **Quality assessment:** The quality assessments of the identification system for agricultural parcels (LPIS), the geo-spatial application system (GSA) and the area monitoring system (AMS) should be merged.
* **Conditionality controls:** Farmers with a maximum size of holding not exceeding 30 hectares of agricultural area declared should be exempt from controls of GAEC standard 7 requirements.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2662 of 22 December 2025 establishing a fisheries closure for Mediterranean albacore in the Mediterranean Sea for vessels flying the flag of or registered in Italy
This Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2662 establishes a fisheries closure for Mediterranean albacore in the Mediterranean Sea for vessels flying the flag of or registered in Italy. It prohibits fishing activities for Mediterranean albacore by Italian vessels in the Mediterranean Sea because Italy has exhausted its allocated quota for this stock in 2025. This regulation aims to ensure compliance with the established fishing quotas and to protect the Mediterranean albacore stock from overfishing.
The Regulation consists of three articles and an annex.
* **Article 1** states that the fishing quota allocated to Italy for 2025 for Mediterranean albacore in the Mediterranean Sea is deemed exhausted from the date set out in the Annex.
* **Article 2** prohibits fishing activities for the specified stock by vessels flying the flag of or registered in Italy from the date in the Annex. It specifically prohibits retaining on board, relocating, transhipping, or landing fish from that stock caught by those vessels after that date.
* **Article 3** specifies that the Regulation will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
* **The Annex** specifies the closing date for the fishery as December 5, 2025.
The most important provision is Article 2, which effectively bans Italian-flagged or registered vessels from fishing for Mediterranean albacore in the Mediterranean Sea after December 5, 2025. This prohibition includes retaining, relocating, transhipping, or landing any Mediterranean albacore caught after that date.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2605 of 12 December 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2278 suspending the Common Customs Tariff duties referred to in Article 56(2), point (c), of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain agricultural and industrial products
I cannot answer as you have not provided the text of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2605.
Regulation (EU) 2025/2645 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2025 on compulsory licensing for crisis management and amending Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 (Text with EEA relevance)
Here’s a breakdown of Regulation (EU) 2025/2645:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation establishes a system for the EU to issue compulsory licenses for patented products or processes during crises or emergencies. It allows the European Commission to authorize the use of intellectual property rights without the consent of the right holder, but only as a last resort when voluntary agreements fail to ensure the supply of essential crisis-relevant products within the Union. The goal is to ensure the availability of products needed to address crises affecting the EU’s internal market and public health.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Objective and Scope (Articles 1-2):** Defines the regulation’s aim to enable Union compulsory licenses during crises and specifies the types of intellectual property rights covered (patents, utility models, supplementary protection certificates).
* **Definitions (Article 3):** Clarifies key terms like “Union compulsory license,” “crisis-relevant product,” and “competent advisory body.”
* **Conditions for Granting a License (Article 4):** Sets out the criteria that must be met before a Union compulsory license can be issued, including the declaration of a crisis, the necessity of using a protected invention, and the failure of alternative solutions.
* **General Requirements (Article 5):** Specifies that licenses must be non-exclusive, limited in scope and duration, and subject to adequate remuneration for the right holder.
* **Competent Advisory Body (Article 6):** Establishes the role of an advisory body to assist the Commission in assessing the need for a license and its content.
* **Procedure for Granting a License (Article 7):** Outlines the steps involved in the licensing process, including the publication of a notice, consultation with the advisory body, and consideration of comments from interested parties.
* **Content of the License (Article 8):** Lists the information to be included in the license, such as the intellectual property rights covered, the right holder, the licensee, and the remuneration.
* **Remuneration (Article 9):** Specifies that the licensee must pay adequate remuneration to the right holder, considering the economic value of the authorized use.
* **Obligations of the Licensee (Article 10):** Sets out the responsibilities of the licensee, including ensuring proper identification of products manufactured under the license and limiting distribution to the EU.
* **Prohibition of Export (Article 11):** Forbids the export of products made under a Union compulsory license, with an exception for specific public health-related exports under Regulation (EC) No 816/2006.
* **Customs Control (Article 12):** Establishes a framework for customs authorities to monitor and prevent the export of products manufactured under a Union compulsory license.
* **Review and Termination (Article 14):** Allows for the review and modification of licenses based on changing circumstances and provides for termination if the conditions that led to the license no longer exist.
* **Fines and Penalties (Articles 15-21):** Empowers the Commission to impose fines and periodic penalty payments for non-compliance with the regulation.
* **Reporting on National Compulsory Licenses (Article 22):** Requires Member States to inform the Commission about national compulsory licenses granted for crises that fall under EU crisis mechanisms.
* **Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 (Article 24):** Introduces the possibility of granting a Union compulsory license under Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 for exports to countries with public health problems, streamlining the process for cross-border manufacturing.
* **Evaluation (Article 25):** Mandates the Commission to evaluate the application of the regulation and assess the list of Union crisis or emergency mechanisms.
**3. Main Provisions for Use:**
* **Conditions for activation:** The regulation can only be activated when a crisis or emergency has been formally declared under a Union crisis or emergency mechanism (listed in the Annex).
* **Last resort:** Compulsory licensing is intended as a measure of last resort. The Commission must demonstrate that voluntary agreements or other means to ensure the supply of crisis-relevant products have failed.
* **Remuneration:** Right holders are entitled to adequate remuneration for the use of their intellectual property. The Commission will determine the amount based on the economic value of the use and the circumstances of the case.
* **No export:** Products manufactured under a Union compulsory license cannot be exported outside the EU, except under specific circumstances related to public health needs in third countries as per Regulation (EC) No. 816/2006.
* **Transparency:** The regulation includes provisions for transparency, such as the publication of notices and the involvement of interested parties in the licensing process.
