Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97: African Swine Fever Control Measures Updated
This regulation focuses on combating the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) within the EU. It updates the restricted zones in several Member States where special disease control measures apply.
Specifically, the regulation amends Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, providing a new list of restricted zones (I, II, and III) for Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece, Croatia and Lithuania. These zones are defined geographically, often down to the level of municipalities.
The updated zoning has direct implications for the movement of live pigs and certain pig products within the Union, as Member States with listed zones are obliged to apply special disease control measures.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78: Cosmetic Product Safety Enhanced with Updated CMR Substance Restrictions
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/71 of 12 January 2026 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of barium carbonate originating in the People’s Republic of China and India
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/71 imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of barium carbonate originating in the People’s Republic of China and India. This regulation follows an anti-dumping investigation initiated in December 2024 and the imposition of provisional duties in August 2025. The regulation specifies the duty rates for individual companies and for all other imports from these countries, aiming to prevent further injury to the Union industry caused by dumped imports. It also finalizes the collection of provisional duties.
The regulation is structured into several sections, addressing the procedure, product concerned, dumping, injury, causation, level of measures, Union interest, and definitive anti-dumping measures. It confirms most of the provisional findings, addresses comments received from interested parties, and provides detailed explanations for the calculations and methodologies used. Key provisions include the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties, the rates of which vary by company and country, and the conditions for applying individual duty rates. The regulation also addresses the possibility of amending the duty rates for new exporting producers from China under specific conditions.
The most important provisions for users are the definitive anti-dumping duty rates specified for each company and country, as these directly impact the cost of importing barium carbonate into the EU. Additionally, the requirement for a valid commercial invoice with a specific declaration for the application of individual duty rates is crucial for importers. The possibility for new Chinese exporting producers to request the application of a lower duty rate, subject to meeting certain conditions, is also noteworthy.
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/87 of 9 January 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/287 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/87 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/287, which concerns restrictive measures against individuals and entities in view of the situation in Guatemala. The new regulation updates the entries for five individuals listed in Annex I of the original regulation, providing more current identifying information and reasons for their inclusion on the sanctions list. These updates reflect the EU’s ongoing assessment of the situation in Guatemala and its commitment to addressing actions that undermine democracy and the rule of law. The regulation directly affects the individuals listed, as it imposes restrictions on their travel and financial activities within the EU.
The structure of the regulation is straightforward. It consists of two articles: Article 1 amends Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2024/287, and Article 2 specifies the date of entry into force. The annex itself contains the updated entries for the five individuals, including their positions, dates of birth, nationalities, identifying information, reasons for listing, and dates of listing. The main change compared to the previous version is the updated information and justification for maintaining sanctions against these individuals.
The most important provisions for its use are the updated entries in Annex I, which provide detailed reasons for the sanctions imposed on each individual. These reasons focus on their involvement in actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala, including efforts to overturn election results, arbitrary proceedings against journalists and activists, and politically-motivated prosecutions. The updated information is crucial for ensuring that the sanctions are targeted and based on accurate and current information.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97 of 9 January 2026 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever
Here is the description of the act you provided.
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97 amends Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which lays down special disease control measures for African swine fever (ASF). The amendment involves updating the lists of restricted zones (I, II, and III) within Member States based on recent outbreaks and changes in the epidemiological situation of ASF. The goal is to proactively combat the risks associated with the further spread of ASF within the Union.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Title:** Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/97 amending Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever.
* **Legal Basis:** The regulation is based on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (“Animal Health Law”), specifically Article 71(3).
* **Amendments:** The core of the regulation is the replacement of Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 with a new Annex I, as detailed in the Annex to this regulation. This new annex lists the updated restricted zones I, II, and III for various Member States.
* **Member States Affected:** The changes specifically address the situation in Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Greece, Croatia and Lithuania.
* **Entry into Force:** The regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* **Restricted Zones:** The key element of this regulation is the updated lists of restricted zones I, II, and III for African swine fever. These zones define areas where special disease control measures apply.
* **Geographical Definitions:** The Annex provides detailed geographical descriptions of the restricted zones within each Member State, often specifying administrative regions, municipalities, and even parts of municipalities.
* **Obligations for Member States:** Member States listed in the Annex, or those with areas listed, are obligated to apply the special disease control measures as outlined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, taking into account the updated zoning.
* **Impact on Movement:** The establishment and modification of restricted zones directly impact the movement of live pigs and certain pig products within the Union and to third countries.
* **Reference to Other Acts:** The regulation refers to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, Regulation (EU) 2016/429, and the Commission Notice on ASF guidelines, which are essential for understanding the full scope of the applicable measures.
**:** The act is related to Ukraine due to the fact that African Swine Fever is a threat to the agriculture of Ukraine.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 of 12 January 2026 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use in cosmetic products of certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction
This is an analysis of Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, specifically concerning the use of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR). The regulation updates the lists of prohibited, restricted, and allowed substances in cosmetic products to reflect new classifications of CMR substances under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This ensures uniform implementation of CMR substance prohibitions within the EU, provides legal certainty for economic operators and national authorities, and maintains a high level of human health protection.
The regulation amends Annexes II, III, IV, and V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Key changes include:
* **Annex II (Prohibited Substances):**
* Merges entries for perboric acid and its salts into a single entry (1397) for clarity and simplification. Deletes old entries 1398 and 1399.
* Updates entry 1727 to include specific forms of silver (nano and massive) that are prohibited, while allowing for the use of micron-sized silver under certain conditions.
* Adds several new substances classified as CMRs to the list of prohibited substances (entries 1752-1766).
* **Annex III (Restricted Substances):**
* Adds silver powder (100 nm < particle diameter < 1 mm) with specific restrictions on its use in toothpaste and mouthwash (entry 379).
* Adds hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (Hexyl Salicylate) with usage restrictions in various product types and concentration limits (entry 380).
* **Annex IV (Authorized Colorants):**
* Replaces entry 142 for silver to allow the use of micron-sized silver (silver powder) as a colorant in lip products and eye shadow, with a maximum concentration of 0.2%.
* **Annex V (Allowed Preservatives):**
* Replaces entry 7 to include Sodium o-Phenylphenate alongside Biphenyl-2-ol (o-Phenylphenol) as an allowed preservative, with specified concentration limits and usage warnings.
The most important provisions for practical use are the specific conditions and concentration limits set for the use of silver powder and hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, as well as the inclusion of Sodium o-Phenylphenate as an allowed preservative under certain restrictions. These changes directly impact manufacturers and formulators of cosmetic products, who must ensure compliance with the new restrictions and permitted uses.
