Hot off the Press – EU Work Programme 2026!
This blog was originally posted on 31st October, 2025. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
AUTHORED BY MICHELLE WALSH, SENIOR TEAM LEADER AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST, COMPLIANCE & RISKS
The EU Commission has published its’ 2026 Work Programme setting out the key strategies, action plans and legislative initiatives for the next year. This builds on the momentum from the 2025 Work Progamme published last year.
Simplification continues to be the key focus of the programme with 25 out of 47 legislative initiatives having a significant simplification dimension. It also hammers down the EU Commission’s promise to strengthen competitiveness, lead in clean and digital innovation, strengthen the social model and ensure collective security.
This programme which is entitled “Europe’s independence moment’ also includes:
- 38 New policy objectives
- 20 Evaluations to stress-test existing EU legislation,
- 25 Proposals for withdrawal that are no longer of general interest
- 1 Proposal to repeal
- 111 Pending proposals
What Are the Key Priorities and Timelines to Watch Out for?
Simplification and Implementation
The message is clear, there is an urgent need to make business in the EU easier and faster in the EU Single Market. Building on the momentum of the six Omnibus packages published in 2025, this programme will put forward a new series of simplification initiatives and omnibus packages across key areas such as automotive, environment, taxation, food and feed safety, medical devices and simplifying energy product legislation.
This includes modernising digital legislation and data protection, simplifying public procurement, updating rules for fair competition in media and reviewing rules applicable to audiovisual media markets.
What are the Key Priorities and Timelines to watch out for in 2026?
Competitiveness and Innovation
- European Innovation Act (Q1 2026)
- Advanced Materials Act (Q4, 2026) EU Commission has launched a public consultation on this initiative which is still open for comments.
- Cloud and AI Development Act (Q 1, 2026) (This was originally expected in Q4, 2025 but has been pushed forward to Q1, 2026)
- Chips Act II (Q1, 2026) (This was originally expected in Q4, 2025 but has been pushed forward to Q1, 2026
- Critical Raw Materials Centre (Q2, 2026)
Research and Innovation
- Quantum Act (Q2 2026)
- European Biotech Act II (Q3 2026)
Circular Economy
- Circular economy (Q3 2026) Public consultation is still open for comment. Watch out, this is coming sooner than expected! It was originally expected for Q4, 2026 so the timeline for this highly anticipated law has been brought forward to Q3, 2026.
European Product Act (New Legislative Framework for Products!)
- Update of the New Legislative Framework (NLF) of product rules (Q3 2026) This would essentially mean Digital Product Passports gradually extended to all products!
- Update of rules on the market surveillance and compliance of products (Q3 2026)
- Update of rules on standardisation (Q3 2026)
New Omnibus
- Omnibus to simplify energy product legislation (Q2 2026)
- Citizens omnibus (Q4, 2026)
- Omnibus on taxation (Q2, 2026)
Climate Change
- Climate package for the decade ahead
- Revision of national targets and flexibilities in the EU climate policy framework (Q4 2026)
- Update of the EU emissions trading system for maritime, aviation and stationary installations, and the relevant market stability reserve (Q3 2026)
- European integrated framework for climate resilience (Q4 2026)
Labor and Employment
- Quality Jobs Act (Q4 2026)
- Fair Labour mobility package
- Proposal for a European Social Security Pass (Q3 2026)
- Strengthen the European Labour Authority (Q3 2026)
- Skills portability initiative (Q3 2026)
Consumer Protection
- Digital Fairness Act (Q4 2026) to tackle outstanding unfair and deceptive consumer practices
- Anti-corruption strategy and Review of the anti-fraud architecture ( Q4 2026)
- People Action plan against cyberbullying ( Q1 2026) to create safer online environments for young people
- Equality Gender equality strategy 2026-2030 ( Q1 2026)
- Enhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030 ( Q2 2026)
Evaluations and Fitness Checks
Evaluations and Fitness Checks to look at simplification of various existing laws:
- Evaluation of the type approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles Regulation (Q3/Q4 2026)
- Evaluation of the market surveillance and compliance of products Regulation (Q4 2026)
- Evaluation of the cosmetic products Regulation (Q4 2026)
- Evaluation of the biocidal products Regulation (Q4 2026)
What 2026 Means for Business: Independence, Competitiveness & Delivery
As we look ahead to 2026, there is no doubt about EU’s commitment to a more independent, competitive, and sustainable Europe throughout this Work Programme! Whether it can deliver, we will watch carefully and see!
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