Upcoming EU regulatory changes and opportunities for feedback: Quarterly report

Update

For some new policies and laws, the European Union (EU) gives the opportunity to all stakeholders (including from non-EU countries) to provide their input and feedback. For more information on the EU consultation process, see How to provide feedback on upcoming EU policies and regulations – explained. Upcoming (expected) consultations so far announced for 2025 are listed here. For live consultations, see AGRINFO’s Ongoing Consultations webpage.

Background

The European Commission will be collecting feedback on the new agri-food policies and regulations listed here.

Once consultations are launched, all stakeholders (competent authorities, trade associations, individual exporters) may provide direct feedback via the EU’s Have your say webpages specific to each proposed law.

Participating in this process is important, and helps to ensure that the interests of low- and middle-income countries are taken into account when new policies or regulations are developed by the EU.

These consultations are part of the Commission’s commitment to greater regulatory transparency and are carried out in line with its Better Regulation Guidelines – guidance for preparing new initiatives and proposals, or for managing and evaluating existing legislation.

Impacted Products

Fish, olive oil, animal products, plant-based foods, food supplements, fortified foods, food contact materials

Upcoming opportunities to give feedback

Stakeholders will be able to provide input to public consultations or give feedback on draft proposals for the following.

Fruit and vegetables

Marketing standards – addition of cider, perry and dried pulses to list of products – Delegated Regulation

Aim: Add marketing standards for cider, perry, and dried pulses that lay down conditions of production in order to take account of consumer demands and facilitate trade relations.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon. Adoption expected in first quarter of 2026.

Olive oil – changes to olive oil marketing standards – Implementing and Delegated Regulation

Aim: To set out rules on monovarietal extra virgin olive oil from certain varieties (traceability and check of compliance) and to align on the International Olive Council Trade Standard; limits on total sterol content in monovarietal extra virgin olive oil from the Koroneiki and Nocellara del Belice varieties; and the labelling of those oils.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon, adoption of Regulation expected in first quarter of 2026.

Food safety

Food safety – vitamins and minerals added to food (minimum and maximum levels) – Regulation

Aim: Set maximum levels for vitamins and minerals that may be added to food supplements and fortified foods; and set minimum levels for food supplements.

Timeline: This initiative has been delayed, update expected soon.

Biocidal products

Biocidal products – renewing authorisations of products subject to mutual recognition –Delegated Regulation

Aim: Clarify the scope of application of Regulation 492/2014 (in particular regarding which authorisations can be renewed in a group application, amendment of renewal procedures, and timelines).

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Biocidal products – rules on changes to their authorisations – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Update provisions (in the light of experience of the procedures), in accordance with Regulation 528/2012, to provide clarity on procedural questions and ensure alignment with other Delegated and Implementing Regulations.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Biocides – Review Programme Regulation on existing biocidal active substances (update) –Delegated Regulation

Aim: Update Regulation 1062/2014, including rules governing the review programme of existing active substances under Regulation 528/2012. The main aim is to speed up progress in completing the review of biocides.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Food safety – rules on same biocidal products (SBPs) (update) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Update rules for the authorisation of “same biocidal products” in Regulation 414/2013 to clarify their definition, their interaction with Regulation 354/2013, and the procedure to renew, amend, or cancel authorisations. (“Same biocidal products” are biocidal products identical to another biocidal product/family, except for administrative aspects.)

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Biocidal Products Regulation – evaluation

Aim: Evaluate whether Regulation 528/2012 has achieved its objectives to improve the functioning of the internal market for biocidal products and ensure a high level of protection of human/animal health and of the environment, and identify areas for improvement.

Timeline: Public consultation until 5 March 2026.

Plant health

Importation of plants and plant products – temporary derogation procedure – Delegated Regulation

Aim: Adopt rules on the procedure to follow when the European Commission adopts temporary derogations (exceptions) from the prohibition on introducing certain plants and plant products into the EU (Regulation 2016/2031, Art. 40(1)); and on special and equivalent requirements regarding the content, submission, and assessment of the non-EU country’s technical dossier (Art. 41(2)).

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulation expected in third quarter of 2026.

Procedure for listing high-risk plants, plant products and other objects – Delegated Regulation

Aim: Clearly outline the procedure for listing plants, plant products, or other objects as high-risk plants, to ensure transparency and consistency for Member States, non-EU countries, and the professional operators concerned.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulation expected in third quarter of 2026.

Plant passports – exceptions and rules for attachment to the trade unit of particular plants – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Detail the cases and rules when plant passports do not need to be attached to the trade unit of particular plants, plant products, or other objects due to their size, shape, or other specific characteristics.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulation expected in second quarter of 2026.

Plant passport requirement – exemption for final users receiving via distance contracts – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Regulation 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants requires a plant passport for the movement of plants and plant products if they are supplied directly to a final user through a distance contract. This Regulation will set out the cases where this plant passport requirement does not apply to particular plants or plant products.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulation expected in second quarter of 2026.

Fish

Managing fisheries – updated rules (technical measures) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Establish detailed provisions on several aspects directly related to technical measures –rules governing how, where, and when fishers may fish. It includes provisions on selection devices to reduce unwanted catches; and on the control and monitoring of certain areas and specific fishing gear.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Veterinary medicines – List of substances which may be used in food-producing aquatic species – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Draw up a list of substances contained either in veterinary medicines authorised in the EU for food-producing animals, or in medicines authorised in the EU for human use which may be administered to food-producing aquatic species when there are no medicines authorised for such species or those authorised are not available.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing – identification of non-cooperating non-EU countries – Implementing Decision

Aim: Identify non-EU countries that the European Commission considers to be non-cooperating countries in fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing (Regulation 1005/2008, Art. 31).

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon.

Sustainable imports of fishery products under the EU Autonomous Tariff Quota Regulation – Proposed Regulation

Aim: Conduct an impact assessment on how to make Autonomous Tariff Quotas (ATQs) more sustainable and how to evaluate the functioning of the ATQ regime. (An ATQ allows a certain quantity of a product to be imported into the EU at a reduced tariff rate.)

Timeline: The last step of the consultation process on the European Commission's proposal is expected in the second quarter of 2026.

European ocean research and innovation strategy – Communication

Aim: Within the EU’s research and innovation framework programme and its mission to restore EU ocean and waters by 2030, the strategy aims: (1) to improve the current governance of research and innovation by overcoming the fragmentation of initiatives, including research infrastructures; and (2) to take a source-to-sea approach to addressing pollution and resource management issues. It will also address the financing for further development and deployment of new knowledge and solutions.

Timeline: Public consultations expected soon; adoption of the Communication expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

A European Ocean Observation Initiative – Communication

Aim: To propose an objective-driven approach that responds to societal needs. It covers key areas across the knowledge value chain, aiming at long-term sustainability, ambition, and strategic autonomy in ocean observation, integrating EU marine services, fostering international collaboration and securing international data, ensuring co-design, and supporting EU Member States’ capacity.

Timeline: Public consultation open until 27 February 2026.

European Ocean Act – Commission Work Programme

Aim: To strengthen and modernise maritime spatial planning as a strategic tool that serves and implements the European Ocean Pact’s priorities: increase cross-sectoral coordination at national level and a better organised sea-basin approach, and improve ocean observation governance. The Act will reference existing binding targets, help meet them effectively and consistently, and streamline reporting obligations.

Timeline: Public consultation open until 9 February 2026.

Fisheries and aquaculture – Vision 2040 – Communication

Aim: To set out the overarching policy framework for competitive, resilient, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including the processing sector, in line with the European Ocean Pact: to identify critical issues affecting the entire value chain; outline policy responses; build on the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation; and align with the EU Strategy for fisheries external action, and the Energy Transition Partnership and roadmap for EU fisheries and aquaculture.

Timeline: Adoption expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Animal products

Animal welfare – verifying compliance with EU welfare rules (detailed requirements) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Reinforce controls of EU animal welfare rules during official meat inspections in slaughterhouses, such as monitoring the condition of pigs’ tails and broilers’ feet as indicators of on-farm animal welfare. Update rules on health markings and the on-farm slaughter of animals including cattle, pigs, and ostriches.

Timeline: Public consultation delayed, adoption postponed to first quarter of 2027.

On-farm animal welfare for certain animals: modernisation of EU legislation – Proposal for a Regulation

Aim: Revise EU rules on animal welfare on farms, taking into account the latest scientific evidence, stakeholder feedback, assessment of economic and social impacts, and societal demand. Stronger alignment of animal welfare production standards applied to imported products, in line with international rules.

Timeline: The last step of the consultation process is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 (see On-farm animal welfare: Review of EU laws).

Products of animal origin – update of lists of products and their CN codes subject to official controls at borders – Implementing Regulation

Aim: Amend the list of products of animal origin subject to official controls at border control posts, including their codes from the Combined Nomenclature (CN).

Timeline: Public consultation open until 3 February 2026 (see Animal and composite products subject to official controls).

Organic production

Organic and in-conversion products – import controls and certificates of inspection (revision) – Implementing Regulation and Delegated Regulation

Aim: Revise the rules on EU import controls and inspection certificates for organic and in-conversion products that are not yet certified under EU organic legislation.

Timeline: Public consultations expected soon, adoption of Regulations expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Organic production – cleaning & disinfection products (criteria & conditions), hydrolates and magnesium chloride – Delegated Regulation

Aim: Reflect the new production needs of the organic food sector and ensure that production standards are aligned across the EU by introducing specific criteria for the authorisation of products and substances to be used in products for cleaning and disinfection; add hydrolates to the list of products; and allow the use of magnesium chloride in processed food as a non-organic salt.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of Regulations expected in the second quarter of 2026.

Organic production – targeted updates and simplification – Proposal for a Regulation

Aim: To provide clarity and certainty for businesses on the import of organic products under the equivalence scheme, following a ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU; to extend the recognition of non-EU countries’ equivalent organic standards beyond the current deadline of 31 December 2026 to avoid trade disruptions; to simplify certain rules in a targeted way to make EU organic production more competitive and reduce the regulatory burden.

Timeline: After the call for evidence, the consultation on the proposal is expected soon.

Use of certain products and substances in organic production (amendment) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To amend the lists of products and substances that may be used as external inputs in organic production. In particular, the lists of active substances in pesticides and fertilisers to be used in organic plant production; cleaning and disinfection products in animal and plant production; food and feed additives; and non-organic agricultural ingredients. Also to facilitate access to products and substances necessary for organic production.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Organic imports – list of recognised control authorities and control bodies – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To list the control authorities and control bodies recognised to certify operators and groups of operators in non-EU countries, compliant with the new EU legislative framework on organics currently in force, for the import of organic products into the EU.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the second quarter of 2026.

High-risk organic and in-conversion products from non-EU countries – detailed list – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To list high-risk products (organic and in-conversion) considered to be high-risk due to their involvement in major, critical, or repetitive cases of non-compliance, and to provide details on their country of origin and the necessary amount of identity checks, physical checks, and sampling percentages for consignments.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Environment

Rules on single-use plastics and fishing gear (evaluation) – Report

Aim: Evaluate impacts of the 2019 Single-Use Plastics Directive, informing any possible future updates or amendments.

Timeline: Public consultation open until 17 March 2026; report expected in the second quarter of 2027 (see Consultation on the Single-Use Plastics Directive).

Carbon removals and carbon farming – methodologies for certifying carbon farming – Delegated Regulation

Aim: to set out methodologies for certifying carbon removals and soil emission reductions from carbon farming, specifically resulting from peatland restoration through rewetting; planting of trees; agroforestry; and soil management of agricultural mineral soils, including improved fertiliser use.

Timeline: Public consultation open until 19 February 2026.

Trade

Business-to-business unfair trading practices in the food supply chain – revision of EU rules – Proposal for a Directive

Aim: To revise EU rules on tackling unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain in order to reflect evolving market dynamics and emerging practices, and to ensure fairer relations within the chain.

Timeline: Public consultation open until 27 February 2026; adoption of proposal expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 (see Review of Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive).

Trade in agricultural products – exchange of documents via ELAN IT system (wine) – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To expand the list of documents (non-customs formalities) that can be issued, stored, and exchanged in ELAN, via the EU Customs Single Window Certificates Exchange System (EU CSW-CERTEX) (see ELAN: Electronic system for Agricultural Non-customs formalities).

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Non-EU countries may start using the EU’s electronic agricultural non-customs formalities system (ELAN) in 2026 – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To allow non-EU countries to start using ELAN (on a voluntary basis) as of 2026. (Its use will become mandatory in October 2028.)

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Trade in agricultural products – exchange of documents via ELAN IT system (fruit, vegetables, cereals, wine, hops) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To expand the list of documents (non-customs formalities) that can be issued, stored, and exchanged in ELAN via EU CSW-CERTEX.

The list will include certificates of conformity for fruit and vegetables, certificates of exemption for banana traders, VI-1 and VI-2 certificates for wine, and certificates for imports of hops and cereals.

Timeline: Public consultation expected soon; adoption of proposal expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Several initiatives announced in the Farm to Fork Strategy (such as sustainable food systems, labelling, animal welfare, etc.) were planned but have been delayed (see EU Farm to Fork and Green Deal Initiatives). The current strategy is the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food 2025–2029.

Recommended Actions

Keep track of the “Have your say” timelines listed in this record, which the EU updates on a regular basis. Also monitor the AGRINFO list of Ongoing Consultations, which gives an up-to-date list of live consultations relevant to the agri-food sector.

These consultations are particularly important where rules may affect access to the EU market. Feedback can be more effective if it is accompanied by relevant supporting information and data; when a consultation is highlighted here as upcoming, this is the opportunity to start collecting any information that may be needed.

Resources

European Commission: Better Regulation

Sources