The Council of the European Union (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs) will formally adopt five legislative acts and one decision at its meeting on 29 June 2026 in Luxembourg, based on approvals by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on 24 June 2026. The package includes regulations strengthening farmers' position in the food supply chain, setting circularity requirements for vehicle design and end-of-life management, prohibiting exports of mixed municipal waste for recovery, simplifying harmonised AI rules under the Digital Omnibus, and implementing measures for the Research Fund for Coal and Steel. The Council will also discuss a progress report on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and health emergency preparedness, and seek partial general approaches on two major funding regulations for the 2028-2034 period: the European Fund for Regional Development (including Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund, as well as the European Social Fund under the National and Regional Partnership Plan.
The meeting marks the culmination of several legislative processes. The regulation on farmers' position in the food supply chain amends the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation, aiming to address power imbalances between farmers and large retailers. The vehicle circularity regulation introduces end-of-life requirements to improve recyclability and reduce waste. The waste export prohibition targets mixed municipal waste destined for recovery, closing a loophole in existing rules. The Digital Omnibus on AI simplifies harmonised rules for artificial intelligence, reducing administrative burdens for businesses. The Coal and Steel Fund decision ensures continued research funding after the expiry of the ECSC Treaty.
The progress report on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and health emergency preparedness will update ministers on ongoing work to strengthen EU crisis response capabilities. The two partial general approaches on the 2028-2034 funding regulations will set the Council's negotiating position for the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, and European Social Fund, which together channel hundreds of billions of euros to EU regions.
Stakeholders affected include farmers and food producers, who will benefit from stronger bargaining power; automotive manufacturers, who must adapt vehicle design for circularity; waste management companies, facing new export restrictions; and AI developers, who will see simplified compliance rules. The funding regulations will impact regional authorities and social policy implementers across the EU.
Following the Council meeting, the adopted acts will be published in the Official Journal and enter into force. The partial general approaches will form the basis for trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament on the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework regulations.