Commission seeks experts to join the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Today, the European Commission launched a call for applications to join the newly established Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.
The Network was established to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the Commission, Member States, researchers, frontline practitioners and other key stakeholders. Its goal is to support the effective implementation of EU legislation, programmes and policies related to the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The Network will address all dimensions of prevention, including reducing the risk of individuals offending or re-offending, and lowering the likelihood of children becoming victims.
In addition to fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices, the Network will inform research, facilitate cooperation with key partners at both EU and international level, while also offering support to the Commission and Member States in the effective implementation of prevention programmes.
With the establishment of the Network, the Commission delivers on a key initiative of the EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse, reaffirming its strong commitment to prevention as a central element in combating child sexual abuse.
The call for application is open until 15 September to individual experts and organisations active in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention.
(Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 460 75 53 11; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
Commission takes step to ensure resilient, competitive and sustainable aviation sector
The European Commission has today launched a public consultation to assess the effectiveness of three pieces of EU legislation governing access to and the pricing of services at airports. Citizens, professionals and experts alike are invited to give feedback on rules concerning airport charges, slot distribution and ground handling services at EU airports.
The consultation seeks to assess whether the existing EU legislative framework – including the Slot Regulation, the Groundhandling Directive, and the Airport Charges Directive – remains effective in achieving its objectives. Concretely, these rules determine, for example, how much airlines pay to use certain airport facilities, which in turn has an impact on the price passengers pay. They affect whether passengers find the connection they want at the time they need it. They influence also the waiting time and quality of service in relation to baggage handling. However, with market conditions changing, and with environmental priorities in mind, it is important to ensure the rules remain relevant and impactful.
The consultation considers recent trends such as market consolidation, airport capacity challenges, labour shortages, increased competition from non-EU airlines and airports, and the need for decarbonisation. The feedback received will also help the Commission identify opportunities for simplification and reduce administrative burdens.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated: “Aviation plays a pivotal role in increasing mobility, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and facilitating trade – all to the benefit of EU citizens. It is also crucial for maintaining connectivity across the European Unions regions. So I invite all interested citizens and organisations to share their perspectives on our current airport legislation. We must cultivate a resilient, competitive, and sustainable aviation sector that ensures affordable connectivity.”
The consultation is open until 28 October 2025 and is available on the Have your Say portal in all official EU languages.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86)
Commission approves new geographical indication from Italy
The European Commission has approved the addition of ‘Ratafia Ciociara/Rattafia Ciociara to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).
‘Ratafia Ciociara/Rattafia Ciociara is a liqueur made from morello cherries and red wine typical of Lazios rural farming tradition. It has an intense aroma of sour cherries, forest fruits or almonds. It may also be flavoured with natural infusions or juices and a selection of spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, cloves or bitter almond.
The liqueur is produced in the province of Frosinone, in the Lazio region. Its characteristics are shaped by the favourable soil and climate conditions and by a long-standing rural tradition of preparing this liqueur, handed down within families and documented as early as the 17th century.
This new designation joins the more than 3,673 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. For more information, see the Quality Policy pages.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
Commission approves €11 billion French State aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
The European Commission has approved a €11 billion French scheme to support offshore wind energy in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and reaching the renewable energy target set at EU level for 2030. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (‘CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025.
Under this scheme, the aid will take the form of a monthly variable premium under a two-way contract for difference (‘CfD), which will be calculated by comparing a reference price, determined in the tender offer of the beneficiary (‘pay as bid), to the market price for electricity.
Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “With this €11 billion scheme, France will be able to deploy offshore wind capacities faster, in line with the Clean Industrial Deal. It will also help France reduce its dependence on fossil fuels imports and enhance its renewable energy share, while ensuring that any potential competition distortions are kept to the minimum.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98)
Commission seeks input on technical updates of Emissions Trading System State aid guidelines
The European Commission has yesterday launched a Call for Evidence to seek input on technical updates of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) State aid guidelines. As announced in the European Chemicals Action Plan on 8 July 2025, the ETS State aid guidelines will be updated with the view to include additional sectors. In addition, the CO2 emission factors and the geographic areas will be updated based on the latest available data, as already set out in the existing guidelines.
The main aim of the review is to address the situation that the initial ETS price assumptions no longer reflect current market conditions, which now also affects additional sectors not yet eligible. At the same time, State aid rules should continue to safeguard the level playing field within the EU.
Interested parties can give feedback on the Have your say portal, until 5 September 2025.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98)
Commission clears merger of Helvetia and Baloise
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the merger of Helvetia Holding AG (‘Helvetia) and Baloise Holding AG (‘Baloise), both of Switzerland.
The transaction relates primarily to the insurance sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12003.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EU seeks ambitious global agreement to tackle plastic pollution
Starting today, the European Commission is participating in negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5.2) in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim of reaching an effective agreement to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution.
According to UNEP data from 2021, global plastic production has reached a staggering 400 million tons per year, yet a mere 12% is incinerated and only 9% is recycled, leaving a substantial amount of plastic waste to contaminate the environment, including oceans and rivers.
Because of these alarming statistics, the EU is advocating for a treaty that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal, and includes measures to phase out certain plastic products that pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. The EU will also continue advocating for effective provisions on environmentally sound management on plastic waste.
Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall will attend the Ministerial Segment of the negotiations on 12 August, where she will emphasise the need for global cooperation to curb plastic pollution.
“If business as usual continues, plastic production will triple by 2060”, she warned. “The EU remains firmly committed to finding a global solution to curb plastic pollution, and we expect all sides to be flexible and open in the negotiations. We need to agree on effective global policies benefitting both people and the planet.”
The negotiations, which run until August 14, follow a previous session in December 2024 that made significant progress towards a deal but ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
You can find more information on the negotiations online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: + 32 229-96302; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases