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On 8 December 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the 2023 Commission proposal for a regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material (FRM). The new regulation would replace the current FRM Council Directive and widen its scope to include not only FRM for forestry purposes but also the FRM for conservation of forest genetic resources. The proposal would introduce a requirement for the basic material harvested for FRM production ...

In February 2026, two and a half years after the European Commission's proposal, trilogues started on a new regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (PRM). The proposal, put forward on 5 July 2023, would replace 10 of the 12 PRM directives that currently lay down the rules for seeds, tubers, cuttings, seedlings and young plants. It would introduce sustainability requirements for registering new varieties of agricultural plants, vegetables and fruits intended for professional ...

There has been a significant surge in the number of virtual private networks (VPNs) used to bypass online age verification methods in countries where these have been put in place by law. Protection of children online is high on the political agenda, and new legislative frameworks are being implemented that require a minimum age to access certain online products and services. The European Union's Digital Services Act has introduced recommended guidelines for age assurance, which apply to online intermediaries ...

Influencer marketing has become a significant part of the digital economy. Influencers allow brands to reach highly targeted audiences, and their endorsements are often perceived as more authentic than direct advertising. Some consumer groups – such as younger consumers and those with lower financial literacy, lower income, or consumers who follow trends closely – are particularly receptive to this type of marketing. The fast growth of this sector has exposed several problematic practices and regulatory ...

This EPRS 'European implementation assessment' study aims to inform the ongoing work of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on an own-initiative report (2025/2089(INI)) on the implementation of Regulation No 1144/2014 on the EU agricultural promotion policy. The study is composed of two parts. The first part is an introduction by EPRS's Ex-post Evaluation Unit that provides the context, methodology and contribution of the study to parliamentary and EU policymaking ...

During the November II plenary session, Parliament will vote at second reading on the proposal for a new toy safety regulation. The Council adopted its first-reading position on 13 October 2025, reflecting the results of trilogue negotiations which concluded in April. If Parliament approves the Council's position, the legislative procedure will be completed.

A growing number of children are navigating digital environments not designed for them. There is therefore a discussion on whether to enhance the protection of minors online. The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) has adopted an own-initiative report with recommendations for safer digital environments for minors. During the November II plenary session, Parliament is due to debate and vote on the report.

The European Union's policy on the management of chemical hazards and risks relies on two main instruments. These are the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. The CLP Regulation ensures that hazards posed by chemicals are consistently identified, classified and communicated. The REACH Regulation provides for the generation of data on substances and the management of their risks, whether ...

Migrants contribute about 10 % to the world's gross domestic product and are likely to gain in importance due to skills shortages and an ageing population in host countries. Labour migration also has a significant impact on the countries of origin, both positive and negative. The overall impact of migrant workers on their countries of origin varies depending on the circumstances. In 2022, there were 167.7 million migrant workers globally, 93 % of whom were employed. Some 90 % of migrants move voluntarily ...

This infographic provides insight into the economic performance of the United States (US) compared with the European Union (EU) and examines the trade dynamics between them. In 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for the US was recorded at 2.8%, while the EU experienced a growth rate of 1.1%. Both inflation rates remain stable and show a declining trend compared to the years following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of the war in Ukraine. The inflation rate in the ...