DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 18 December 2025
Member States designate 41 additional vessels in Russia's shadow fleet
The European Commission welcomes the publication of Member States' decision to designate 41 new vessels in the Russian shadow fleet.
These vessels are banned from accessing ports and receiving maritime services in the EU. With these new listings, a total of 597 vessels now listed by the EU.
Targeting the Russian shadow fleet has been identified as a crucial chokepoint to further limit revenues Russia generates from seaborne oil exports and to impede its ability to finance the war of aggression against Ukraine.
By imposing constraints on the shadow fleet, the EU effectively increases costs for Russia, disrupting its maritime operations and halting its engagements with EU operators. The listings also tackle the serious maritime safety and environmental risks posed by the often old and underinsured vessels of the shadow fleet.
With this decision, the EU shows its commitment to adopting new measures to step up pressure on Russia, in particular during the ongoing negotiation process of a peace agreement.
Moreover, the designation today is a continuation of the previously adopted sanctions following Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
Further information on all measures adopted against Russia since 2022 available here.
(For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Saul Louis Goulding - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
Stronger protection for workers with new asbestos guidelines and updated list of occupational diseases
The European Commission has adopted new measures to better protect workers from asbestos, a dangerous cancer-causing substance.
These measures contain:
These new measures come on top of the revised asbestos at work Directive of 2023, which set lower occupational exposure limits and other measures to reduce workers' risk. By 21 December 2025, Member States must incorporate the Directive into national law. These actions deliver on the EU's comprehensive approach for an asbestos-free future in Europe, supporting people's health and the environment.
The Commission has published guidelines to help Member States, employers, and workers implement the revised Directive.
More information is available in the press release.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 29 88433; Eirini Zarkadoula-Tel.: +32 2 29 57065)
Commission provides guidance on simplified EU Taxonomy reporting rules
The European Commission has today issued guidance to help stakeholders prepare for the simplified disclosure rules under the EU Taxonomy for sustainable economic activities, which will apply from January 2026.
The simplified framework, introduced through the Taxonomy Omnibus Delegated Act adopted in July 2025, significantly reduces reporting burdens for EU businesses. For example, companies no longer need to assess non-material activities under the EU Taxonomy, key performance indicators for financial institutions are simplified, and the number of data points in reporting templates is cut by 89% for financial undertakings and 66% for non-financial undertakings.
The guidance, which takes the form of a draft set of replies to frequently asked questions (FAQs), provide early and practical guidance on the implementation and legal interpretation of the simplified disclosure rules ahead of their entry into application. It will help stakeholders to prepare their first annual Taxonomy reporting under the simplified rules, due to be published in 2026 for the financial year 2025.
Formal adoption of the FAQ in all EU languages is expected in the first quarter of 2026, following the publication of the Omnibus Delegated Act in the Official Journal.
EU boosts funding to protect aid workers with €4.35 million
The European Union is significantly reinforcing its efforts to protect humanitarian personnel operating in high-danger zones by allocating an additional €4.35 million to the ‘Protect Aid Workers' initiative.
The decision comes at a time when the work of humanitarian personnel is becoming more and more dangerous. This new funding will support humanitarian staff who experience critical incidents in the line of duty, ensuring their safety and recovery. The primary focus will be on local humanitarian workers as they are more exposed to armed violence and threats to their lives.
The announcement came yesterday as the Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, hosted a side event to the Sakharov Prize ceremony to meet with the nominees for the prize, Palestinian Red Crescent Society and UNRWA, but also humanitarian workers from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Sudan who have benefitted from the Protect Aid Workers programme.
Since the launch of the Protect Aid Workers programme, the EU has supported more than 450 aid workers and their families.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
Commission gathers feedback to shape the governance of Energy Union and Climate Action policies
The European Commission has opened a call for evidence and a public consultation for all stakeholders and citizens to shape the upcoming revision of the EU's Governance Regulation on the Energy Union and Climate Action. This is the strategic framework for achieving the EU climate and energy policy objectives on the path to climate neutrality.
Adopted in 2018, the Regulation guides the EU towards its 2030 energy and climate targets and the Paris Agreement commitments by creating a governance mechanism for Member States and supporting their strategic planning via National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
This revision, mentioned in the Commission's political guidelines for 2024-2029, aims to better align the current energy and climate governance with the strategic policy objectives of affordability, competitiveness, decarbonisation, energy security, and strategic autonomy, looking beyond 2030. It will further streamline and simplify planning and reporting obligations and reduce administrative burden, supported where appropriate by further digitalisation. The revision follows last year's review report on the functioning of the Regulation.
Citizens, professionals and experts are encouraged to participate until 12 March 2026. Contributions will feed into the Commission's preparations for the legislative proposal, expected in the final quarter of 2026.
More information on the launch of the public consultation and call for evidence is available online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07)
Digital Europe Programme fuels digital transformation and skills development across Europe
The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is making a significant impact on Europe's digital transformation, as shown by the interim evaluation published today. Key achievements include the funding of JUPITER, Europe's first exascale supercomputer, contributing to the AI factories initiative, and Common European Data Spaces. Additionally, the programme facilitated the roll out of 169 European Digital Innovation Hubs across Europe, supporting over 90,000 companies and organisations.
With a budget of €8.16 billion for 2021-2027, DIGITAL has delivered concrete results across its strategic areas. The programme has equipped over 20,700 people with training in digital skills and set up open large-scale sectorial AI Testing and Experimentation facilities to test and refine AI models. Five state-of-the-art facilities have been created for developing cutting-edge chip technologies and designs. DIGITAL is also supporting Europe's cybersecurity. Between 2021 and 2024 over €194 million was dedicated towards the creation and operation of Security Operations Centres - or Cyber Hubs - on the frontline of the response to cyber threats. The report confirms the programme's strategic importance in adapting to evolving challenges and dynamics as the digital sector grows, playing a key role in implementing digital policies, such as the Chips Act, the Data Act, the Cyber Resilience Act and the AI Act.
Since 2021, the programme has been accelerating Europe's digital transition by funding the deployment of critical technologies.
While progress continues, some challenges remain, including the need to increase awareness of the Programme in some Member States and manage the complexities of coordinating different funding sources and administrative processes. The Commission is actively working to simplify these areas and improve accessibility.
The report evaluates the programme up to the end of 2024, and its findings are reflected in the design of the proposed European Competitiveness Fund for the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
Commissioner Jørgensen in Vienna to discuss energy policy and start the European Affordable Housing Tour
Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen is in Vienna, Austria, for a two-day visit to attend the 23rd Ministerial Council of the Energy Community, engage in discussions on energy policy and start his European Affordable Housing Tour.
This morning, at the 23rd Ministerial Council of the Energy Community, he highlighted the importance of energy markets integration, enlargement and cooperation on energy security for the Energy Community countries, and reaffirmed the EU's unwavering support to Ukraine in energy reconstruction and security. His press statement is available on EBS.
Following the presentation of the European Grids Package and the Energy Highways initiative last week, today the Commissioner is meeting with Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria's Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, and the State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner. A joint press point with the Minister is foreseen at around 12.45 CET.
Later this afternoon, Commissioner Jørgensen will meet with the EU Affairs Committee of the Austrian Parliament to discuss the recently adopted permanent ban on Russian natural gas imports, EU actions to reduce energy prices and the housing crisis, among others. He will also exchange on energy policy with the board of the Austrian Regulatory Authority, E-Control. Tomorrow, the Commissioner will visit a large-scale heat pump project which is aimed at making Vienna's heating system more sustainable and affordable.
The EU's efforts to make housing more affordable will feature prominently in the Commissioner's visit to Austria. The visit marks the first step of Jørgensen's European Affordable Housing Tour. For the next months, the Housing Commissioner will visit several EU cities and countries to facilitate the implementation of the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan on the ground. He will exchange with Vice-Chancellor and Housing Minister, Andreas Babler, and the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig. Tomorrow, the Commissioner will visit the Ljuba-Welitsch-Promenade 18 project in Vienna, a municipal housing development project intended to secure affordable and social housing to over 4,000 people.
Audiovisual coverage of the visit and the press points will be available on EBS.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07)