Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/111: Poultry Import Restrictions
This regulation amends existing rules on importing poultry, poultry products, and fresh meat from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Due to recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the regulation imposes temporary suspensions on imports from specific affected zones. It simultaneously re-authorizes imports from zones where the animal health situation has improved. The key changes are in Annexes V and XIV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, which detail the specific zones within these countries that are either restricted or re-authorized for imports, specifying the types of products affected.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/71: Anti-Dumping Duty on Barium Carbonate
The EU is imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of barium carbonate from China and India. This follows an investigation that confirmed dumping practices. The regulation sets specific duty rates for named companies and a general rate for all other imports from these countries. It finalizes the collection of provisional duties already in place. To benefit from individual company duty rates, importers must include a specific declaration on their commercial invoice. New exporting producers from China who meet certain conditions can apply for the duty rate applicable to cooperating companies.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78: Cosmetic Product Safety Update
This regulation updates the rules on cosmetic products, amending Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 to restrict or prohibit the use of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR). Annexes II, III, IV, and V are modified to reflect these changes. Key changes include updates on silver, Hexyl Salicylate, o-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate including allowing micron-sized silver as a colorant under specific conditions and adding Sodium o-Phenylphenate to the list of allowed preservatives, with usage warnings. Specific conditions and concentration limits are set for the use of these substances in cosmetic products.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/111 of 13 January 2026 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 (EU) 2026/111 amends Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, specifically concerning the lists of third countries authorized to export poultry, germinal products of poultry, and fresh meat of poultry and game birds into the EU. The regulation responds to recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It temporarily suspends imports from specific zones affected by these outbreaks while re-authorizing imports from other zones where the animal health situation has improved.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 states that Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 are amended in accordance with the Annex to this regulation. Article 2 indicates the date of entry into force of the regulation. The Annex details the specific amendments to Annexes V and XIV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404. These amendments involve replacing existing entries and adding new entries for Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States in the lists of authorized third countries, territories, or zones. The amendments specify the zones affected by HPAI outbreaks, the types of products affected (e.g., BPP, BPR, DOC, DOR, SP, SR, POU-LT20, HEP, HER, HE-LT20 for Annex V and POU, RAT, GBM for Annex XIV), and the dates from which the restrictions or authorizations apply.
The most important provisions for users are the specific amendments to Annexes V and XIV, which detail the zones in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States from which imports of poultry, germinal products, and fresh meat are either suspended or re-authorized. Businesses involved in importing these products from these countries need to carefully check these lists to ensure compliance with EU regulations and avoid disruptions to trade. The regulation also provides the geographic coordinates and municipal areas affected by the outbreaks, allowing for precise identification of the restricted zones.
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 establishes specific anti-dumping duty rates for named companies and a general rate for all other imports from these countries. It also finalizes the collection of provisional duties.
The regulation is structured into several sections, starting with the procedure, detailing the initiation, registration, and imposition of provisional measures. It then addresses the product concerned and like product, followed by an in-depth analysis of dumping, injury, causation, and the level of measures. The regulation also considers Union interest and outlines the definitive anti-dumping measures, including the collection of provisional duties and retroactive collection. It concludes with final provisions regarding reimbursements and the committee’s opinion. Compared to the provisional regulation, this implementing regulation sets definitive anti-dumping duties based on the investigation’s final findings, potentially adjusting the duty rates initially imposed.
The most important provisions for users include the specific anti-dumping duty rates for individual companies and the “all other imports” category, as these directly impact the cost of importing barium carbonate from China and India. The requirement for a specific declaration on the commercial invoice to qualify for individual company duty rates is also crucial for importers to ensure compliance. Additionally, the possibility for new exporting producers from China to request the application of the duty rate for cooperating companies, provided they meet certain conditions, is relevant for companies that did not export during the investigation period.
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 a description of Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78, which amends Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The core of this regulation is to update the list of substances allowed or restricted in cosmetic products, based on their classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR). This ensures a high level of consumer safety by prohibiting or restricting the use of potentially harmful substances in cosmetics.
The regulation modifies Annexes II, III, IV, and V of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. These annexes list prohibited, restricted, and allowed substances in cosmetic products. The changes include:
* **Annex II (Prohibited Substances):** Consolidates entries for perboric acid and its salts, and updates the entry for silver to include specific nano and massive forms, while adding several new substances classified as CMRs.
* **Annex III (Restricted Substances):** Adds micron-sized silver and hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (Hexyl Salicylate) with specific restrictions on their use and concentration limits in various cosmetic products.
* **Annex IV (Colorants):** Modifies the entry for silver to allow micron-sized silver (silver powder) as a colorant under specific conditions.
* **Annex V (Preservatives):** Adds Sodium o-Phenylphenate to the list of allowed preservatives, alongside Biphenyl-2-ol (o-Phenylphenol), with specific concentration limits and usage warnings.
The most important provisions for practical use are the specific conditions and concentration limits set for the use of micron-sized silver, Hexyl Salicylate, o-Phenylphenol and Sodium o-Phenylphenate. These substances can be used in cosmetics only if they meet the requirements specified in the regulation.
