The European Commission is scheduled to adopt a broad policy package at its 2575th meeting in Brussels on 17 July 2026, covering revisions to the Emissions Trading System (ETS), an Electrification Action Plan, the 2026 Rule of Law Report, and a communication on banking sector competitiveness. The agenda, published by the Secretariat-General, lists items for presentation and approval, with a consensus reached by Chefs de cabinet on routine matters marked with an asterisk.
The meeting will open with A items for routine approval, including the agenda, minutes of previous meetings (2569-2574), interinstitutional relations, external action coordination, EU law monitoring, written procedures, and administrative and budgetary matters. The main policy items are B items for presentation and discussion.
Items 9-11 constitute an ETS review package, presented by Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, in agreement with Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Teresa Ribera. The package includes proposals to amend Regulation (EU) 2015/757 on monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, Directive 2003/87/EC establishing the EU ETS, and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 on the Market Stability Reserve. It also sets revised benchmark values for heat and fuel benchmarks for the 2026-2030 period. The proposals aim to simplify and strengthen the ETS, aligning with the EU's 2040 climate target.
Item 12 is a communication on an Electrification Action Plan, presented by Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, also in agreement with Ribera. The plan is expected to outline measures to accelerate the electrification of transport, industry, and buildings, supporting the EU's energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Item 13 is a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal electricity market, presented by Jørgensen in agreement with Ribera. The amendment aims to future-proof electricity bills, likely by introducing measures to protect consumers from price volatility and promote demand-side flexibility.
Item 14 is the 2026 Rule of Law Report communication, presented by Commissioner for Values and Transparency Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath. The report includes 31 country chapters assessing the rule of law situation in each member state, covering justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom, and checks and balances.
Item 15 is a communication on banking sector competitiveness and the Single Market in Banking, presented by Commissioner for Financial Services Maria Luís Albuquerque, in agreement with Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné. The communication is expected to address regulatory burdens, cross-border integration, and the competitiveness of EU banks.
Under any other business, the Commission will decide on two European citizens' initiative registration decisions: 'Right to Housing! Now and Forever' and 'All On Board - For your right to citizenship without borders', presented by Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič.
The package reflects the Commission's ongoing efforts to advance the European Green Deal, strengthen the rule of law, and enhance the competitiveness of the banking sector. The ETS review and electrification plan are likely to face scrutiny from member states and industry stakeholders concerned about costs and implementation timelines, while the rule of law report may trigger debates in the European Parliament and Council. The banking communication will be closely watched by financial institutions and regulators.