A busy start to the year in Brussels saw early signals on the Commission’s environment omnibus, alongside developments on textiles and warnings over the Competitiveness Fund proposal. Changes in EU environment leadership are also on the horizon…read on for the key developments!
Environment omnibus presentation to ENVI committee: On 19 January, as set out in the ENVI agenda document, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall will appear before the Parliament’s environment committee to present the Commission’s environment omnibus package.
Parliament challenge urban wastewater directive EPR provisions: On 14 January 2026, the European Conservatives and Reformists group tabled amendments ahead of the 20 January vote on the regulation on critical medicines, envisaging a possible suspension of the application of extended producer responsibility provisions covering the pharmaceutical industry.
Leadership change looming at Parliament’s ENVI committee: The presidency of the European Parliament’s environment committee will soon be reassigned, as current chair Antonio Decaro is expected to step down after being elected president of Italy’s Puglia region.
Textiles ecodesign preparatory work: On 15 December, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the third milestone of the preparatory study supporting the development of the first Delegated Act under the Ecodesign Regulation for textile apparel, as announced for early 2027 in the Commission’s work programme.
JRC proposes harmonised EU waste sorting labels under packaging rules: On 13 January 2026, the Joint Research Centre published a technical proposal on EU-wide harmonised waste sorting labels under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Study highlights untapped circularity potential in bio-based waste: In December 2025, the European Environment Agency published its reportAssessing the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste, mapping major biobased waste streams across Europe and identifying substantial untapped circularity potential despite persistent data gaps and inconsistent reporting.
Chemicals omnibus advances in Parliament: On 12 January 2026, the European Parliament published a draft report on the chemicals ‘simplification’ omnibus prepared jointly by ENVI and IMCO co-rapporteurs.
Zero Waste Europe calls for chemicals control to enable circularity: On 14 January, Zero Waste Europe published a report arguing that there can be no genuine circular economy without strengthened control of chemical substances.
Parliament briefing on worker exposure to hazardous substances: On 9 January 2026, the European Parliament’s research service published a briefing on the impact assessment accompanying the 6th revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive.
EU auditors warn of risks in Competitiveness Fund proposal: On 12 January 2026, the European Court of Auditors published an opinion raising concerns over the Commission’s proposed European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe.
Parliament workshop on financing industrial competitiveness: On 28 January 2026, as announced by the European Parliament in its workshop notice, a workshop will be held on financing industrial policy and competitiveness in the post-2027 EU budget.
EEA note on resilience and infrastructure: On 12 January 2026, the European Environment Agency published a briefing on investment needs to strengthen resilience across key sectors. While largely climate-focused, the paper underlines the importance of resilient infrastructure and continuity of essential services.
Global temperatures near 1.5°C threshold: On 14 January, the EU’s climate monitoring service Copernicus said that global surface air temperatures reached around 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels in 2025, making it the third hottest year on record. Copernicus warned that, based on current trends, the world could reach a long-term average of 1.5°C as early as 2030, significantly earlier than anticipated when the Paris Agreement was signed.
