Latest documents

Summary : The impact assessment (IA) underpins the proposal for a regulation on clean corporate vehicles, which is part of the automotive package, through a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The initiative seeks to support the decarbonisation of the EU road transport sector and ensure a fair transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by enhancing their demand in the corporate segment and by accelerating the availability of ZEV on the second-hand market. The IA provides an informative problem definition, covering the political, legal and market context of the initiative, and identifies the problems and the problem drivers, even though it illustrates their scale only partially. Two groups of policy options are presented and clearly explained. In addition, the IA provides information on the discarded policy options. However, the retained options, which are limited only to introducing minimum targets and reporting and monitoring requirements, are not entirely alternative policy options, and the range of options is limited. Both policy option groups propose the same target measures for light-duty vehicles; they differ only in the measures regarding lorries. The IA assesses economic, environmental and social impacts, with the focus on the economic assessment. The analysis is largely based on modelling; the models used, and the assumptions and data sources, are explained in a dedicated annex. The initiative is relevant for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and, consequently, an SME Test was carried out. The competitiveness dimension is embedded in the assessment, which also includes a competitiveness check annex. The IA transparently explains uncertainties in the assessment, which are largely linked to the fact that the policy options leave full flexibility to the Member States to decide on the measures to achieve the defined targets. This affects the impact analysis (costs/benefits) and the comparison of options (effectiveness/efficiency). It is noteworthy that the IA does not select a preferred option (it only indicates a preferred policy option group) as it considers that the choice requires a political decision. The IA does not discuss in much detail the parallel initiative on the review of CO2 emissions performance standards of light-duty vehicles (cars and vans), which is also part of the automotive package, even though an overall assessment of the package and the combined effects of these two complementary initiatives would have improved the analysis. The legislative proposal differs from the IA options, for example in terms of scope (lorries excluded) and target setting. It also defines rules for financial support for corporate vehicles.

Authors : TUOMINEN ULLA-MARI

Summary : This study examines the future deployment of Automated Vehicles in the European Union through an analysis combining technological assessment, scenario development, and policy evaluation. Building on recent advances in Artificial Intelligence, Software-Defined Vehicles, and Intelligent Infrastructure, the study develops three scenarios – European Leadership, Selective Strengths and Dependencies, and External Dependence – to explore how Europe's regulatory and industrial position might evolve. These scenarios serve as a framework for assessing policy options related to legislation, deployment, and EU support for research and development.

External author : Botsch, Michael; Huber, Werner

Summary : This study examines pricing in public EV charging and onshore power supply (OPS), focusing on transparency, comparability, market structure and cost drivers across the EU. It assesses whether prices appear reasonable or potentially excessive and identifies policy options to improve consumer protection, fairness and investment conditions. This document was prepared by FIER Sustainable Mobility at the request of the Committee on Transport and Tourism.

External author : FIER Sustainable Mobility & Sustainable Ships

Summary : This study examines reasonable pricing in public EV charging and onshore power supply (OPS), focusing on transparency, comparability, market structure and cost drivers across the EU. It assesses whether prices appear reasonable or potentially excessive and identifies policy options to improve consumer protection, fairness and investment conditions. This document was prepared by FIER Sustainable Mobility at the request of the Committee on Transport and Tourism.

External author : FIER Sustainable Mobility & Sustainable Ships

Authors : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, SERPIERI Margherita

Summary : This study provides an evidence based assessment of the value for money of EU transport investments in the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal, examining how CEF Transport, cohesion funds, the European Competitiveness Fund, InvestEU and EIB lending interact and how flexibility and performance frameworks can best support TEN T completion, decarbonisation, security and cohesion objectives.

External author : José PAPÍ

Summary : This study provides an evidence based assessment of the value for money of EU transport investments in the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal, examining how CEF Transport, cohesion funds, the European Competitiveness Fund, InvestEU and EIB lending interact and how flexibility and performance frameworks can best support TEN T completion, decarbonisation, security and cohesion objectives.

External author : José PAPÍ

Authors : SERPIERI Margherita

Summary : Issues at stake The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive obliges the European Commission to report on progress by July 2026, potentially leading to legislative proposals where appropriate, on: • The inclusion of municipal waste incinerators and landfills; • How to account for negative emissions resulting from greenhouse gases (GHG) that are removed from the atmosphere and safely and permanently stored; • The expansion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions coverage to include international aviation within the EU ETS, pending an assessment of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, • The inclusion of combustion installations below 20 megawatts (MW) of total rated thermal input (capacity); • How to account for GHG emissions captured and utilised (CCU) in a product that enters the atmosphere after a certain period (non-permanent CCU); Additionally, the EU ETS Directive requires the Commission to address other issues with later deadlines. These include: • The inclusion of GHG emissions from medium-sized offshore and cargo ships; • The expansion of GHG emissions coverage for international maritime voyages beyond the existing 50 %, if the International Maritime Organization does not adopt a global market measure to reduce GHG emissions; • The assessment of non-CO₂ aviation effects; • The impact of carbon leakage on sectors not covered by Regulation (EU) 2023/956 on the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

Authors : LÓPEZ HERNÁNDEZ Juan Fernando

Summary : In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport. Among them is a proposal for a single methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services, referred to as CountEmissionsEU. The initiative covers both freight and passenger transport. It seeks to ensure that GHG emissions data provided regarding transport services are reliable and accurate, to allow fair comparison between transport services. It establishes a methodological framework but does not govern where it has to be used. Nonetheless, if an organisation decides to calculate and disclose information on GHG emissions from transport services it needs to use the methodology provided. To avoid extra red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises, the proposal exempts these companies from mandatory verification of adherence to the rules. In the European Parliament, the file has been dealt with through the joint committee procedure, involving the Committees on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The committees adopted their joint report on 4 March 2024. Parliament voted on its first-reading position during its April I plenary session. Parliament's TRAN and ENVI committees voted to enter into trilogue negotiations with the Council on 4 December 2024. On 5 November 2025, Parliament and the Council reached a preliminary agreement. After the TRAN and ENVI committees endorsed the provisional agreement on 4 December, the Council formally adopted its first-reading position on 26 February 2026. The vote in plenary, following the recommendation of the joint committee, is scheduled for the April 2026 session. Fifth edition of a briefing, the previous editions of which were drafted by Jaan Soone. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Authors : KISS Monika

Authors : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, CROSSFIELD CLARE BABETTE, SERPIERI Margherita

Summary : The European Commission drew up seven impact assessments (IAs) in support of 18 programme proposals for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the proposed regulation on a horizontal performance framework. The broad scope of these IAs does not allow individual programme proposals to be assessed in any detail – as is particularly salient in the case of the IA on the national and regional partnership plans, covering nine legislative proposals. All IAs acknowledge a deviation from the scope and depth of a standard IA as defined by the Better Regulation Guidelines (BRG). This is justified with Tool #9 of the BR Toolbox, which indicates the specificity of the MFF, but does not define how related IAs should be carried out. As a result, the application of the better regulation principles varies widely across the MFF IAs. They are similar insofar as the Commission chose for all of them a mostly horizontal rather than policy-specific approach and did not include any budgetary considerations and scenarios. These choices affect the quality of key sections of the IAs considerably, albeit to varying extents. The problem definition often lacks specificity and substantiation. Similarly, the IAs' objectives remain largely unspecific, which, in turn, affects the IAs' monitoring and evaluation provisions and risks hampering the future measuring of the objectives' achievement. The description of policy options is in most cases short and vague, which weakens the impact analysis. The depth to which economic, social and environmental impacts are assessed varies across the sampled IAs. The analysis remains predominantly qualitative, with quantification largely lacking. All seven MFF initiatives are deemed relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and are thus listed in the 'SME filter'. The IAs state that they place great emphasis on simplification and burden reduction. None of them is accompanied by a subsidiarity grid, and they discuss subsidiarity, European added value and proportionality rather briefly. While the IAs differ considerably in terms of quality and transparency when it comes to their evidence base and methodology, all of them acknowledge certain limitations and a lack of data (notably quantitative data). Consultation activities were largely limited to open public consultations. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) found significant shortcomings in all seven draft IAs, prompting it, exceptionally, to issue opinions without qualification. The persisting flaws in the final IAs suggest that the RSB recommendations have at best been partially addressed. Altogether, the limited quality of the MFF IAs appears to reflect a missed opportunity to provide policymakers with high-quality and transparent evidence for one of the most important policy packages to be negotiated in the coming months and years.

Authors : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, KRAMER Esther

Summary : On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also to strengthening enforcement. These three areas will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. Just like last year's CWP, the 2026 CWP adheres to the seven headline ambitions put forward in the political guidelines. It is accompanied by a report on implementation, simplification and enforcement, the first of its kind. This new annual report is set to replace the annual burden survey. Annex I of the 2026 CWP puts forward 70 major new legislative and non-legislative initiatives, 44 % of which fall under the competitiveness headline ambition. (Up to) 48 of the new initiatives are legislative, including three sector-specific omnibus packages (on energy product legislation, taxation and citizens). Of the forthcoming legislative initiatives, 67 % are likely revisions of existing legislation, while more than half have a strong simplification dimension. Unlike previous CWPs, the 2026 CWP does not indicate whether a legislative initiative will be accompanied by an impact assessment; this lack of transparency runs counter to the spirit of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. Information on the Commission's 'Have your say' portal shows that, at the time of writing, two thirds of the up to 48 legislative initiatives were expected to be accompanied by an impact assessment (though the final number may be higher). The annual evaluation plan presented in Annex II of the CWP, comprising 20 evaluations, does not appear exhaustive. Finally, the communication on Better Regulation, expected in Q2 2026, may entail a revision of the Better Regulation Guidelines, the first since 2021.

Authors : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, DALLI HUBERT, IOANNIDES Isabelle

Summary : This study serves as an evidence base to support policy discussions and contributes to a future revision of the Combined Transport Directive. It identifies and analyses a subset of the network of intermodal freight terminals across the European Union, offering insights into their location, served transport modes, physical area, handling capacity (in TEUs), loading equipment, and additional services provided. The report includes selected case studies that illustrate targeted actions aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of terminal operations. Furthermore, it maps the main connections between inland and port-based terminals and key European seaports. A dedicated analysis is also presented on the average distances travelled to and from intermodal terminals in four selected EU Member States, providing context on logistical patterns and accessibility. Together, these findings lay the groundwork for informed policy development with a view to incentive the expansion of the EU’s multimodal freight transport framework.

External author : Andrés KILSTEIN GRINSTEIN, Lorenzo CASULLO, Martín LÓPEZ PAVEZ, Celia MIRAS LÓPEZ, Rebecca MEISER

Summary : The European Parliament is vested with powers of democratic oversight and political scrutiny vis-à-vis the European Commission. These powers of Parliament enhance the democratic legitimacy of the EU as a whole, and help increase the transparency and accountability of the Commission as the EU's executive body. This study examines Parliament's oversight and scrutiny powers over the Commission. It focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the powers that are enshrined in specific provisions of the EU Treaties. This includes Parliament's role in the Commission's investiture, in motions of censure, parliamentary questions, committees of inquiry and special committees, and in the Commission's obligations to report, consult and inform. It also looks into Parliament's scrutiny over budgetary issues, of delegated acts, in the context of the EU legislative procedure and agenda-setting, of legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, and of the EU's external relations. The study builds on a previous EPRS study on parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission, originally requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in 2018. The data presented in this edition focus on the ninth term parliamentary term (2019 to 2024).

Authors : TENHUNEN Susanna, EISELE Katharina, AHAMAD MADATALI HANNAH NAFIZE, JANSEN Talander Hugo

Summary : ATAG to the study - Using an own, newly elaborated functional definition of mobility poverty, this study first estimates mobility poverty in the nine EU outermost regions and assesses its effects on their transport and tourism sectors. It then reviews the Fit for 55 transport-related legislation and analyses its implications for these remote territories. It also outlines the main EU, national and regional measures tackling the adverse effects of both mobility poverty and the new climate legislation, and finally concludes with policy recommendations.

External author : Ambre MAUCORPS, Juan Carlos MARTÍN, Tomás LOPES CAVALHEIRO PONCE DENTINHO, Colette RANÉLY VERGÉ-DÉPRÉ, Patricia PICAZO PERAL & Mário José AMARAL FORTUNA

Summary : Using an own, newly elaborated functional definition of mobility poverty, this study first estimates mobility poverty in the nine EU outermost regions and assesses its effects on their transport and tourism sectors. It then reviews the Fit for 55 transport-related legislation and analyses its implications for these remote territories. It also outlines the main EU, national and regional measures tackling the adverse effects of both mobility poverty and the new climate legislation, and finally concludes with policy recommendations.

External author : Ambre MAUCORPS, Juan Carlos MARTÍN, Tomás LOPES CAVALHEIRO PONCE DENTINHO, Colette RANÉLY VERGÉ-DÉPRÉ, Patricia PICAZO PERAL, Mário José AMARAL FORTUNA

Summary : ATAG to the study - This study offers a comprehensive overview of silver tourism in the EU, detailing the sector’s current state and potential growth opportunities. It establishes a conceptual framework that categorises key areas within silver tourism and examines specific challenges and opportunities within each. The study concludes with targeted recommendations to address these challenges.

External author : Simonas GAUŠAS, Beatričė LEIPUTĖ, Aleksandr CHRISTENKO, Ella LANGHAM, Réka SZABÓ, Mukhtar TASHKENBAYEV, Adela BALDERAS CEJUDO, Martin Balazs ZSARNOCZKY & Dimitrios BUHALIS

Summary : This study offers a comprehensive overview of silver tourism in the EU, detailing the sector’s current state and potential growth opportunities. It establishes a conceptual framework that categorises key areas within silver tourism and examines specific challenges and opportunities within each. The study concludes with targeted recommendations to address these challenges.

External author : Simonas GAUŠAS, Beatričė LEIPUTĖ, Aleksandr CHRISTENKO, Ella LANGHAM, Réka SZABÓ, Mukhtar TASHKENBAYEV, Dr Adela BALDERAS CEJUDO, Dr Martin Balazs ZSARNOCZKY, Dr Dimitrios BUHALIS

Summary : Commitments made at the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate 2024-2029

Summary : Commitments made by Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, 2024-2029

Authors : MAKAY Monika, CIUCCI MATTEO, DEBYSER Ariane, ANGERER Jost, POLLUVEER KRISTI, THOMAS ALIZÉE HELEN, GULIČ NOSAN ENIJA

Summary : ATAG to the study - Based on a comprehensive review of eleven legislative texts of the ‘Fit for 55’ package with a transport policy dimension, this study highlights the expected impacts they may produce on connectivity and mobility, encompassing the concepts of efficiency and effectiveness in the ability of passengers and goods to travel within the EU.

External author : Hugh GARDNER, Marco BRAMBILLA, David MATHEUS, Giorgio RANDO (Ecorys), Stefan GREBE, Dagmar NELISSEN, Maarten DE VRIES and Stuart ROSS (CE Delft)

Summary : Based on a comprehensive review of eleven legislative texts of the ‘Fit for 55’ package with a transport policy dimension, this study highlights the expected impacts they may produce on connectivity and mobility, encompassing the concepts of efficiency and effectiveness in the ability of passengers and goods to travel within the EU.

External author : Hugh GARDNER, Marco BRAMBILLA, David MATHEUS, Giorgio RANDO (Ecorys), Stefan GREBE, Dagmar NELISSEN, Maarten DE VRIES and Stuart ROSS (CE Delft)