Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/144
This regulation officially approves an update to the product specification for ‘Mátra/Mátrai’, a protected designation of origin (PDO) from Hungary. This means the EU legally recognizes and protects the amended standards for products bearing this name, ensuring their quality and authenticity. Producers must now adhere to these updated specifications.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/173
This regulation modifies the list of countries and zones authorized to export poultry, germinal products, and fresh poultry meat to the EU. Specifically, it adjusts the entries for Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, based on recent avian influenza outbreaks. Businesses involved in importing and exporting these products need to check the updated annexes for changes to authorized zones, ensuring their regions are still permitted for trade.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/119
The EU has denied the authorisation of a feed additive called carvacrol for weaned piglets. The Commission concluded that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient evidence of the additive’s effectiveness in improving animal production, performance, or welfare. Therefore, using this carvacrol preparation as a feed additive for weaned piglets in the EU is now prohibited.
Review of Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/145
Spanish vessels are now prohibited from fishing for blue ling in areas 6 and 7, including the UK and international waters of zone 5, starting from December 8, 2025. This is because Spain’s fishing quota for blue ling in those areas has been exhausted for 2025. Vessels can still process, transship, and land blue ling caught before that date, but must properly record and handle any unintended catches following specific EU rules.
Review of Agreement on Digital Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore
The EU and Singapore have agreed to facilitate digital trade through a new agreement. This deal aims to create an open, transparent, and secure digital environment by setting rules for cross-border data flows, personal data protection, customs duties on electronic transmissions, and the legal recognition of electronic signatures. It also covers online consumer protection, unsolicited commercial messages, cybersecurity, and cooperation on digital trade issues. Key provisions ensure data can flow freely between the EU and Singapore, protect personal data, and prevent customs duties on digital transactions.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/144 of 14 January 2026 on the approval of a Union amendment to the product specification of the protected designation of origin Mátra/Mátrai pursuant to of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/144 approves a Union amendment to the product specification for the protected designation of origin (PDO) ‘Mátra/Mátrai’. This regulation follows the application from Hungary and ensures the protection of the PDO at the Union level. The approval is based on the absence of any objections to the proposed amendment.
The structure of the act is straightforward, containing a preamble that outlines the legal basis and the reasons for the regulation, followed by two articles. Article 1 formally approves the Union amendment to the product specification for ‘Mátra/Mátrai’ as published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Article 2 specifies that the regulation will come into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal. This regulation is based on Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, which repeals Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.
The most important provision of this act is Article 1, which legally recognizes and protects the amended product specification of the ‘Mátra/Mátrai’ PDO at the EU level. This means that the updated standards and requirements for products bearing this designation must be adhered to, ensuring authenticity and quality for consumers and providing legal protection against misuse or imitation.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/173 of 20 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) 2026/173 amends Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, specifically concerning the lists of third countries, territories, or zones authorized for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry, and fresh meat of poultry and game birds. The changes affect entries for Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States due to new outbreaks and the resolution of earlier outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The regulation adjusts the authorized zones based on the latest epidemiological information provided by these countries.
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 specifies that the regulation will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Annex details the specific amendments to Annexes V and XIV, including replacing and adding rows for specific zones within Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with corresponding descriptions of these zones based on geographical coordinates and administrative regions.
The most important provisions for users are the specific changes to the zones listed for Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States in Annexes V and XIV. These changes directly impact which regions are authorized to export poultry, germinal products, and fresh meat of poultry and game birds to the EU. Businesses and authorities involved in the import and export of these products need to carefully review the updated lists and zone descriptions to ensure compliance with EU regulations. The dates provided in the lists are also critical, as they indicate the period during which the restrictions or authorizations are in effect.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/119 of 20 January 2026 concerning the denial of authorisation of a preparation of carvacrol as a feed additive belonging to the category of zootechnical additives for weaned piglets
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/119 addresses the denial of authorisation for a specific feed additive, a preparation of carvacrol, intended for use in weaned piglets. The regulation concludes that the applicant, Techna France Nutrition, has not sufficiently demonstrated the efficacy of carvacrol as a zootechnical additive to positively affect animal production, performance, or welfare. As a result, the Commission has decided to deny its authorisation as a feed additive for weaned piglets.
The structure of the act is straightforward. It begins with recitals that outline the legal basis, the application process, and the evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It then presents the Commission’s reasoning for denying the authorisation, followed by two articles: Article 1, which explicitly denies the authorisation, and Article 2, which specifies the date of entry into force. There are no previous versions mentioned in the text.
The most important provision of this regulation is Article 1, which directly and unequivocally denies the authorisation of carvacrol as a feed additive for weaned piglets within the category of zootechnical additives. This means that it is illegal to use this specific preparation of carvacrol as a feed additive for weaned piglets within the EU.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/145 of 14 January 2026 establishing a fisheries closure for blue ling in area 6 and 7; United Kingdom and international waters of 5 for vessels flying the flag of Spain
This Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/145 establishes a fisheries closure for blue ling in specific areas for vessels flying the flag of Spain. It declares that Spain’s fishing quota for blue ling in area 6 and 7, including the United Kingdom and international waters of zone 5, has been exhausted for 2025. As a result, the regulation prohibits fishing for blue ling in the specified areas by Spanish vessels from a certain date. However, it allows for the continued processing, transshipping, and landing of blue ling caught before the closure date, and outlines procedures for dealing with unintended catches.
The Regulation consists of three articles and one annex. Article 1 states quota exhaustion for Spain for blue ling in the specified areas for 2025. Article 2 outlines the prohibitions, including fishing, searching for fish, setting or hauling fishing gear, while allowing transshipping, retaining, processing, transferring, caging, fattening, and landing of fish caught before the closing date. It also addresses unintended catches. Article 3 specifies the entry into force of the regulation. The annex provides details such as the member state (Spain), the stock (Blue ling), the zone (6 and 7; United Kingdom and international waters of 5), and the closing date (8 December 2025). There are no direct changes to previous versions mentioned in the text, as the regulation is based on the fishing opportunities laid down in Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202.
The most important provisions for practical use are those concerning the prohibitions and the handling of unintended catches. Specifically, Spanish vessels need to be aware of the closure date (8 December 2025) and ensure that they cease fishing for blue ling in the specified areas from that date onwards. Additionally, they must follow the procedures outlined in Article 2(3) for recording, landing, and counting any unintended catches against quotas, in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Agreement on digital trade between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore
This Agreement on Digital Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore aims to facilitate digital trade in goods and services between the parties. It establishes a framework for cooperation and sets out rules to promote an open, transparent, and secure digital environment. The agreement seeks to address barriers to digital trade, ensure consumer protection, and foster innovation in the digital economy. It builds upon existing agreements between the EU and Singapore, such as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement, to create a free trade area conducive to digital trade development.
The agreement is structured into three main chapters: General Provisions, Digital Trade Disciplines, and Exceptions, Dispute Settlement, Institutional, and Final Provisions.
* **Chapter One** defines the objective and scope of the agreement, affirming each Party’s right to regulate within their territories to achieve legitimate policy objectives. It also provides definitions of key terms used throughout the agreement.
* **Chapter Two** outlines specific disciplines for digital trade, including provisions on cross-border data flows, personal data protection, customs duties, electronic contracts, electronic authentication and signatures, source code, online consumer protection, unsolicited commercial electronic messages, cooperation on digital trade issues, access to and use of the internet, open government data, electronic invoicing, paperless trading, single window systems, electronic transactions framework, electronic payments, cybersecurity, standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, small and medium-sized enterprises, digital inclusion, information sharing and stakeholder engagement.
* **Chapter Three** addresses exceptions, dispute settlement mechanisms, institutional provisions, and final provisions, including clauses on prudential carve-outs, general and security exceptions, temporary safeguard measures, taxation, dispute settlement, mediation, transparency, and the agreement’s entry into force, duration, and territorial application.
Several articles are particularly important for understanding the practical implications of this agreement:
* **Article 5 (Cross-Border Data Flows)**: This article commits the parties to ensuring the cross-border transfer of data for the conduct of business, preventing measures that would require data localization or restrict data transfers, subject to legitimate public policy objectives.
* **Article 6 (Personal Data Protection)**: Recognizes the importance of personal data protection and requires each Party to adopt or maintain a legal framework that provides for the protection of personal data of individuals.
* **Article 7 (Customs Duties)**: Prohibits the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions.
* **Article 10 (Electronic Authentication and Electronic Signatures)**: Ensures that electronic signatures are not denied legal effect solely because they are in electronic form and promotes the use of interoperable electronic authentication methods.
* **Article 12 (Online Consumer Protection)**: Requires each Party to adopt or maintain measures to proscribe misleading, fraudulent, and deceptive commercial activities that harm consumers engaged in electronic commerce.
* **Article 13 (Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Messages)**: Requires measures to limit unsolicited commercial electronic messages, including requiring consent for recipients to receive such messages.
