DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 26 May 2025nno
NOTE TO EDITORS Wednesday, 4 June, at 12:00EEST - fire season preparedness briefing
PRESS INVITATION:
The European Commission representation in Nicosia is organizing an on the record fire season preparedness briefing by a senior Commission Official, on Wednesday 04 June 2025 at 12:00 EEST (EU HOUSE - 2nd floor conference room)
To participate, please reply to this email by Friday 30 June at midday indicating the following: full name, email, GSM and which media you represent,
Duration 1hour including Q&A session.
The fire preparedness briefing will be followed by an off the record briefing on the Spring-PACK of the European Economic Semester.
EU organises firefighting teams and fleet of aircraft to support wildfire-hit countries
To prepare for the increased wildfire risk during the upcoming summer months, the EU has put together teams of firefighters and aircraft to help European countries affected by wildfires.
To quickly support local fire brigades, throughout July and August, almost 650 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically positioned in key high-risk locations in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. They will boost the number of firefighters in each country.
In addition, 22 firefighting airplanes and 4 helicopters will be stationed in 10 Member States to intervene in case of need. Coordinated and co-financed via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, these resources will help mitigate risks and enable a faster and more robust crisis response. These assets come on top of national capacities.
Overview of EU supported summer fleet
In addition, a further 19 ground firefighting teams, of around 30 firefighters each, and one advisory and assessment team, are ready to be mobilised by the EU in close collaboration with Member and Participating States via the Mechanism.
A dedicated wildfire support team will be established at the EU's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre to monitor risks, analyse scientific data.
This proactive approach confirms the EU's commitment to staying one step ahead of disasters, including those worsened by climate change, and to joining forces to protect lives, homes and the environment.
Background
Wildfire prevention, preparedness and response go hand in hand to save lives, protect livelihoods and safeguard the environment. Having experienced wildfire experts, well-trained firefighters, effective information technology, and various response assets at hand makes a real difference.
Any country in the world affected by wildfires can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Once activated, the EU's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates and co-finances the delivery of assistance, offered voluntarily by EU Member States and ten additional UCPM Participating States (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine).
In addition, the EU has created the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP) to ensure a critical number of readily available civil protection capacities, allowing for a stronger, faster, and more coherent collective response to disasters. It brings together resources from 27 Member States and ten UCPM Participating States, ready for deployment to disaster zones at short notice. These resources may include firefighting teams, experts, or specialised equipment. The ECPP operates on voluntary contributions, which are then assessed and certified by the EU. The final decision to deploy these assets remains with the contributing countries.
Should an emergency require additional life-saving assistance, the EU's own strategic reserve, rescEU, can step in to provide extra resources to respond to disasters affecting Europeans. It includes a fleet of firefighting aircraft, medical evacuation airplanes, a stockpile of medical items and field hospitals, and more. rescEU operates by providing grants to Member States to acquire these capacities, with the European Commission holding the final decision on their deployment.
The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre also monitors the development of wildfires with the support of early warning systems such as the European Forest Fire Information System, while the EU's Copernicus emergency satellite mapping service complements operations with detailed information from space.
More information:
Wildfires
rescEU
EU Civil Protection Mechanism
Emergency Response Coordination Centre
Quote(s)
Extreme heat and wildfires in Europe have sadly become the new normal. I am glad the EU has more to offer than just words of concern and consolation: our support is tangible and makes a difference on the ground. This wouldn’t be possible without a strong team effort across borders – thank you to Spain and to all other countries working together to make Europe safer in the face of this changing reality.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Commission and national authorities urge SHEIN to respect EU consumer protection laws
Today, following a coordinated investigation at European level, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities and the European Commission notified the online marketplace and e-retailer SHEIN of a number of practices on its platform that infringe EU consumer law. The CPC Network directed SHEIN to bring those practices in line with EU consumer laws. SHEIN remains under investigation and was requested to provide further information to the CPC Network.
The CPC Network's action against SHEIN is led by the competent national authorities of Belgium, France, Ireland and The Netherlands, under the coordination of the European Commission.
Key elements of the CPC Network's coordinated action
The investigation covers a broad range of practices with which consumers are confronted while shopping on SHEIN and that are in breach of EU law, including:
In addition, the CPC Network requested information from SHEIN to assess its compliance with further obligations under EU consumer law, such as the obligation to ensure that product rankings, reviews, and ratings are not presented to consumers in a misleading manner. The Network is also investigating whether SHEIN informs consumers about how the obligations under the contract are shared between a third-party seller and SHEIN (where applicable) and that consumer rights do not apply to the contract in cases where the third-party seller is not a trader.
This enforcement action is complementary to the ongoing Digital Services Act (DSA) inquiry conducted by the Commission. Both actions aim at ensuring a safe and trustworthy online environment where the rights of consumers in Europe are fully protected.
Next Steps
SHEIN now has one month to reply to the CPC Network's findings and propose commitments on how they will address the identified consumer law issues. Depending on SHEIN's reply, the CPC Network may enter a dialogue with the company. If SHEIN fails to address the concerns raised by the CPC Network, national authorities can take enforcement measures to ensure compliance. This includes the possibility to impose fines based on SHEIN's annual turnover in the EU Member States concerned.
The Commission published a Communication on a Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce on 5 February 2025. The Communication outlines how challenges posed by e-commerce imports can be addressed at each stage of the product's life cycle. Joint enforcement actions by the CPC Network and their close coordination, in particular, with the Commission's enforcement response under the DSA, are an integral and essential element of that approach.
Additionally, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) requires that for all consumer products there is an economic operator established in the EU to ensure compliance with product safety requirements.
Under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation, the national consumer authorities of the 27 EU Member States, Norway and Iceland form together the CPC Network to investigate and enforce EU consumer protection laws against cross-border infringements. The European Commission facilitates, and under certain circumstances also coordinates, such joint investigation and enforcement actions. The consumer law obligations that the CPC Network is invoking vis-à-vis SHEIN can be found in the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Consumer Rights Directive, the Price Indication Directive and the e-Commerce Directive.
SHEIN was designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) on 26 April 2024 under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Four months from its designation, SHEIN had to comply with the most stringent obligations applicable to VLOPs. These include the obligation to duly assess and mitigate any systemic risks stemming from its services. The Commission is currently carrying out DSA inquiries regarding SHEIN that concern, inter alia, the presence of illegal content and goods on SHEIN's marketplace, the transparency of its recommender systems, and measures to mitigate risks relating to consumer protection, public health and users' wellbeing.
The CPC Network's coordinated action against SHEIN is without prejudice to ongoing proceedings by national authorities. National proceedings into SHEIN's commercial practices have been announced by the Italian Competition Authority. Similarly, the coordinated action is without prejudice to investigations and proceedings that the European Commission has initiated under the DSA or may decide to initiate in the future. Furthermore, the coordinated action does not preclude any ongoing or future enforcement actions by market surveillance authorities under product safety laws.
The CPC Network's investigation is supported also by statistical information from European Consumer Centres on the most frequent issues in consumer complaints against SHEIN.
For More Information
Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network
Coordinated actions of the CPC Network
Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation
I welcome this coordinated action with consumer authorities - complementary to the Commission’s ongoing request for information sent to SHEIN under the Digital Services Act. In line with the Commission’s recent Communication on E-commerce, the action demonstrates our resolve to deliver a coordinated and effective enforcement response when e-commerce platforms and e-retailers don’t respect our laws. We come together to keep consumers safe and the e-commerce sector competitive.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
All companies reaching out to EU consumers must play by our rules. Today's action sends a clear message: we will not shy away from holding e-commerce platforms to account, regardless of where they are based. EU consumer protection laws are not optional—they must be applied in all cases. I strongly welcome the decisive action taken by the CPC Network. It’s now for SHEIN to step up, respect the rules and bring its practices fully in line with EU consumer standards.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
Net-Zero Industry Act to further accelerate decarbonisation technologies manufacturing in the EU
The European Commission has taken further steps to support the EU's transition to a low-carbon economy. Four new pieces of secondary legislation and a communication relating to the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) will help the EU's industry to become more resilient, competitive and reduce their carbon footprint. These rules clarify which manufacturing projects can benefit from specific provisions in the Act, such as on permitting, strategic project status and on non-price criteria. They will help scale up the manufacturing of net-zero technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and leverage the competitive advantage of the EU's clean tech industry.
The Commission has today adopted the following acts:
Components primarily used for net-zero technologies under the NZIA
The NZIA strengthens EU manufacturing of net-zero technologies including their key components. Today's act clarifies the scope of NZIA through listing specific components for which the NZIA requirements will apply.
Rules on non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions
The Commission adopted rules for the inclusion of certain non-price criteria in Member State auctions for renewable energy deployment. These criteria include responsible business conduct, cybersecurity, and sustainability and resilience contribution. Starting on 30 December 2025, the new rules must be applied to 30% of auction volumes (or 6 GW per year per EU country). The act provides more detailed parameters to help harmonise how Member States apply these rules to ensure better visibility for businesses, while allowing some flexibility. Well-designed, objective and transparent criteria that reward higher value-added products can better support a sustainable, innovative and resilient manufacturing industry.
Main specific components relevant for the NZIA access to markets chapter
The Commission adopted an act listing net-zero technology final products and their main specific components. This list helps identify which products may trigger the mandatory application of the non-price criterion of “resilience.” This means that, in certain public procedures, contracting authorities must consider supply chain resilience alongside price when selecting technologies or suppliers, i.e. contracting authorities in these cases should not simply select the cheapest option. This criterion must be applied in public procurement, renewable energy auctions, and other forms of public intervention, when there is excessive dependency on a single source of supply for one of these products.
Communication on shares of Union supply
The Commission adopted a Communication providing information on where the EU's supply of net-zero technologies comes from, highlighting third country dependencies for specific technologies. This information enables the application of the 'resilience' non-price criterion in public procurement, renewable energy auctions, and other public interventions in order to diversify the technology sources. Additionally, it helps Member States in evaluating net-zero technology manufacturing projects eligible for strategic project status.
Common criteria on strategic project selection
The NZIA allows net-zero technology manufacturing projects to apply for “strategic project” status. Strategic projects benefit from ‘priority status' at national level, which ensures rapid administrative treatment and financial advice. The act adopted today ensures a consistent selection process across Member States, through guidance on the applicable criteria for that project selection. The Commission encourages Member States to use the application process on the Commission website to reduce administrative burden. This website provides specific guidance on certain selection criteria such as those centered around "first-of-a-kind", "best available technology", and "significant” manufacturing capacity”.
The adopted texts took into account the input received via the call for feedback on four of the acts earlier in the year. It also follows discussion among Member States in the relevant experts' groups and comitology committees.
For the Delegated Act, following today's publication, the European Parliament and the Council have a 2-month scrutiny period (extendable by a further 2 months if requested), during which they can object to this Act. There is no scrutiny period for the Implementing Acts adopted today.
Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) Regulation 2024/1735
The Net-Zero Industry Act
Strategic projects under the NZIA
Today’s adoption of the secondary legislation under the Net-Zero Industry Act marks a key milestone in boosting clean tech in the EU. We are providing the clarity and confidence our clean tech industries need to invest, scale, and lead globally. By strengthening Europe’s industrial base, we are boosting our economic resilience and ensuring our long-term competitiveness in the global race to net zero.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
Today, we deliver on our competitiveness agenda by implementing a new piece of the Net Zero Industry Act. Well designed auctions to support the roll out of renewable energy are a vital step for giving a better chance to European manufacturers to compete on the EU market, and to achieve both our resilience and decarbonisation goals.
Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
European Labour Authority supports fair labour mobility in the EU
The European Labour Authority (ELA) plays a pivotal role in fair labour mobility within the EU, according to the first Commission evaluation of ELA's five years of activity. With over 14 million EU citizens working and living in a Member State other than their own, ELA's support to fair mobility and social security coordination remains crucial.
Between 2019 and 2023, ELA assisted Member States in 168 cross-border labour inspections, checking the situation of more than 13,500 workers in high-risk sectors like transport, construction and agriculture.
The evaluation also identifies areas for improvement, including reinforcing the competences on concerted and joined inspections, or tackling situations regarding third country nationals within the EU, capacity in processing personal data, or simplifying and facilitating access to mediation procedure.
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said: “Mobile workers deserve equal treatment, fair working conditions and proper social protection. I welcome this Commission evaluation, which shows ELA's added value in supporting fair intra-EU labour mobility and ensuring respect for EU rules. This evaluation clearly points to the need to further strengthen the Authority including by reviewing its mandate. This is why, in early 2026, the Commission will come with a proposal to reinforce ELA, as part of a wider, Fair Labour Mobility package.”
The European Labour Authority was established in July 2019 to ensure the fair, simple and effective enforcement of EU labour mobility rules and social security. The Commission must evaluate ELA's performance every five years, providing a critical assessment of the Agency's work and effectiveness. To support the evaluation, the Commission had conducted a public consultation in 2024. The evaluation is available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
EU supported films win at 2025 Cannes Film Festival
EU funded films received prestigious awards at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival during the closing ceremony on Saturday 24 May.
Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier (Norway, Germany, France, Denmark) took home the festivals' second highest prize, the Grand Prix. Sirât by Óliver Laxe (Spain, France) is one of the two co-winners of the Jury. Meanwhile, Nadia Melliti received the Best Actress award for her performance in Petite Dernière directed by Hafsia Herzi (France, Germany).
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “These prestigious prizes demonstrate the creative and commercial strength of European cinema. The Creative Europe Media programme continues to support European films and works. I am proud to see these productions in the spotlight at Cannes Film Festival.”
The Creative Europe MEDIA programme, helped support the production and distribution of these productions. In total 23 films supported by MEDIA were nominated at the 2025 edition of the festival.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 29 91099; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 29 80485)
The Commission approves a new geographical indication for Türkiye
The Commission has approved the addition of ‘Erzincan Tulum Peyniri' to the register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO).
‘Erzincan Tulum Peyniri' is a cheese made from sheep's milk. It is matured in the sheep or goat's skin bag or plastic drums for at least 4 months. The cheese has an off-white colour, crumbly texture, and a rich, salty flavour.
‘Erzincan Tulum Peyniri' is produced in the province of Erzincan, in the East of Türkiye. Its characteristics are the result of traditional know-how and the specific natural conditions of the region, including the local flora and climate. Because of its unique geography, Erzincan province's climatic conditions have a positive influence on pasture and meadow, which eventually affect the milk composition and flavour of ‘Erzincan Tulum Peyniri'.
This new designation joins the more than 3,658 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours- Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)