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 2026 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

Reduced-sugar fruit juices – specific processing aids authorised in the yeast fermentation process – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To give manufacturers and consumers legal clarity on what processing aids may be used to produce reduced-sugar fruit juices. Directive 2001/112/EC (the Fruit Juice Directive), Annex I (II)(3) will be amended.

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

Marketing standards – EU rules for the marketing of cider and perry – Delegated Regulation

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

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

Food safety

Food and feed safety – simplification omnibus – Proposal for a Regulation

Aim: To simplify and clarify regulatory requirements on plant protection products, biocidal products, feed additives, food hygiene, and official controls as well as other measures to simplify EU food law (see Simplification of EU food and feed safety rules).

Timeline: Public consultation until 25 May 2026.

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.

Biotech Act – Proposal for a Regulation

Aim: Create an enabling environment to accelerate the transition of biotech products from laboratory to factory and to the market, while maintaining the highest safety standards to protect the population and the environment.

Timeline: Public consultation until 8 June 2026.

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, adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

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, adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

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, adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

Food labelling

Food labelling – voluntary provision of Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To set requirements for providing voluntary information on the possible, unintentional presence of allergens in food, known as Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL).

Timeline: Consultation in preparation, adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2027.

Wine labelling – revision of rules and procedures for traditional terms – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To further streamline, clarify, and rationalise the rules for protecting, modifying, and cancelling traditional terms used in wine labelling to make it easier for businesses and EU Member States to understand and implement the procedures, and to strengthen the system of traditional terms.

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

Rules on electronic labelling of wine and amendments to rules on traditional terms and holdings – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To complete the “Wine Package” Regulation by laying down rules for electronic labelling of wine (see Council of the EU 2026).

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

Aromatised wine products – rules on electronic labelling – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To complete the “Wine Package” Regulation by laying down rules for electronic labelling of aromatised wine products (see Council of the EU 2026).

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

Plant health

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 third 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 in preparation, adoption of Regulation postponed – now expected in fourth quarter of 2027.

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.

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.

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: Call for evidence closed in February 2026, public consultation expected soon.

Fishery products – exempting certain farmed fish from freezing treatment for killing parasites – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To amend Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (Annex III) to establish the criteria exempting certain farmed fish from the requirements to freeze after killing fishery products for raw consumption, based on an opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2024).

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

Antimicrobials in food-producing aquatic species – conditions for use outside the terms of their marketing authorisation – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To draw up a list of antimicrobials that may be used, or must not be used, in food-producing aquatic species outside the terms of their marketing authorisations.

Timeline: Public consultations expected soon, adoption of Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

Animal products (other than fish)

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

Meat production – freezing of meat from domestic ungulates – Delegated Regulation

Aim: To permit alternative equivalent conditions for the storage of meat before freezing, e.g. for up to 14 days at a lower temperature, or if compliance with a process hygiene criterion is guaranteed before freezing, based on a new opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2026).

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

Low-capacity slaughterhouses and game-handling establishments – facilitating ante- and post-mortem inspections – Delegated Regulation and Implementing Regulation

Aim: To allow official veterinarians in low-capacity slaughterhouses and game-handling establishments to carry out remote ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections under specific conditions to guarantee that animal health and welfare, and public health requirements, are met.

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

Antimicrobials in equine species – conditions for use outside the terms of their marketing authorisations – Implementing Regulation

Aim: To draw up a list of antimicrobials that may be used, or must not be used, in horses outside the terms of their marketing authorisations.

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

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.

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 Regulation 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 Regulation expected in third 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 Regulation expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Trade

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 Regulation expected in fourth 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 Regulation expected in second 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 Regulation expected in fourth quarter of 2026.

Several initiatives announced in the Farm to Fork Strategy (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

Council of the European Union (2026) Council approves set of measures to support the EU wine sector. Press release, 23 February.

EFSA (2024) Re-evaluation of certain aspects of the EFSA Scientific Opinion of April 2010 on risk assessment of parasites in fishery products, based on new scientific data. Part 1: ToRs1–3. EFSA Journal, 22(4): e8719.

EFSA (2026) Microbiological safety of ungulates meat intended to be frozen and defrosting of frozen ungulates meat. EFSA Journal, 24(1): e9825.

European Commission: Better Regulation

Sources