European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 9 February 2026 EU invests €700 million in newly opened NanoIC, Europe's largest Chips Act pilot line The European Union has launched its largest Chips Act pilot line, NanoIC , at IMEC Leuven, a major milestone for European semiconductor development and manufacturing. With a total investment of €2.5 billion, the facility has received €700 million in...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 9 February 2026 EU invests €700 million in newly opened NanoIC, Europe's largest Chips Act pilot line The European Union has launched its largest Chips Act pilot line, NanoIC , at IMEC Leuven, a major milestone for European semiconductor development and manufacturing. With a total investment of €2.5 billion, the facility has received €700 million in EU funding, €700 million from national and regional governments, and the remainder from ASML and other industry partners. NanoIC will accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductor technology, essential for the development of AI, autonomous vehicles, healthcare and 6G mobile technology. NanoIC is the first European facility to deploy the most advanced Extreme Ultraviolet lithography machine, focusing on designing and manufacturing chips using technology beyond two nanometres. This marks a significant advancement in European semiconductor manufacturing technology. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen , Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Flanders' Minister-President Matthias Diependaele opened the facility, which will allow researchers and companies to test new chip designs, equipment, and processes at a near-industrial scale before mass production. Designed to bring chip technologies from the ‘lab to the fab', the pilot lines are a key pillar of the Chips for Europe initiative under the Chips Act. They will strengthen the position of European players in the global semiconductor supply chain and be open to trusted partners, supporting Europe's industrial base and competitiveness while helping retain and attract talent. You can find more information in the press release . (For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) Commission awards €404.3 million to postdoctoral researchers, confirming Europe's position as a global hub for scientific talent The research community has been bolstered by the European Commission's 2025 Marie Skłodowska- Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, with a budget worth €404.3 million for this year's edition. This initiative will empower 1,610 postdoctoral researchers, selected from 17,066 international applicants, to develop their own projects, while receiving high-quality training, international mobility opportunities, and expert supervision at academic and non-academic institutions. This development reinforces Europe's reputation as a hub for scientific excellence, openness, and innovation, as illustrated by the Horizon Europe framework – the EU's multi-billion programme for research. The selected fellows represent nearly 80 nationalities . They will carry out their research projects in 45 countries in Europe and beyond , working at universities, research centres, public institutions, private organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises. Their projects span all scientific disciplines . The strongest representation is in social sciences and humanities, life sciences and engineering and range from fundamental research to projects directly addressing major societal and technological challenges. Most of the funding will support European Postdoctoral Fellowships , enabling 1,446 researchers to work in the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe. In addition, 164 researchers will benefit from Global Postdoctoral Fellowships. This will allow them to carry out part of their research in leading institutions outside Europe - notably in the United States , Canada and Australia - before returning to Europe to share the knowledge and experience they will have garnered within their institution. Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva , said: “The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships show once again why researchers choose Europe. These results reflect the strength of our research ecosystem and our commitment to supporting scientific excellence, openness and mobility. I congratulate all the selected fellows and look forward to seeing how their work will contribute to Europe's competitiveness, innovation capacity and societal progress.” The next call for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is planned to open on 9 April 2026 . More information is available on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions website. (For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission adopts new measures to stop the destruction of unsold clothes and shoes Today, the European Commission adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear. By promoting reuse and recycling, these measures will help cut waste, reduce environmental damage and create a level playing field for companies. And as a result, the textile sector can move faster towards more circular practices and is another step in promoting a circular economy throughout the EU. The new measures will support businesses in complying with the requirements regarding the destruction of unsold textiles under the ESPR. They clarify under which circumstances the destruction will be permitted – for instance, due to safety reasons or product damage. They also introduce a standardised format for businesses to disclose the volumes of unsold consumer goods they discard, in the simplest possible way without adding extra administrative burden. Every year in Europe, an estimated 4-9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before ever being worn. This waste generates around 5.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is almost equal to Sweden's total net emissions in 2021. The ESPR , which entered into force in July 2024 , aims to significantly improve the sustainability of products placed on the EU market by improving their circularity, energy performance, recyclability and durability. It requires companies to disclose information on the unsold consumer products they discard as waste. It also introduces a ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear. This responds to consumers' growing concerns about textile waste due to the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion. The ban on destruction will apply to large companies from 19 July 2026 and medium-sized companies are expected to follow in July 2030. The rules on disclosure under ESPR already apply to large companies and will also apply to medium-sized companies in 2030. Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall said: "The textile sector is leading the way in the transition to sustainability but there are still challenges. The numbers on waste show the need to act. With these new measures the textile sector will be empowered to move towards sustainable and circular practices, and we can boost our competitiveness and reduce our dependencies.” You can find more information online . (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commission adopts new EU legislation on RENURE fertilisers Today, the European Commission formally adopted new rules on REcovered Nitrogen from manure (RENURE), which will contribute to reducing farmers' dependency on imported fertilisers. The new rules will allow the use of RENURE fertilisers above the limit for the application of manure and processed manure set by the Nitrates Directive . This means that the Member States and farmers will have the possibility to replace chemical fertilisers by RENURE fertilisers. This will be done in a safe way to ensure the continued protection of waters and the environment. It will also reduce costs for farmers and increase the strategic autonomy of the EU agricultural sector by lowering dependency on imported fertilisers. Following the meeting and vote by Member States' representatives in the Nitrates Committee on 19 September 2025, the Commission's RENURE proposal was shared with the European Parliament and the Council for a scrutiny period. Neither of the two institutions made any objection to the amendment. The amendment to the Nitrates Directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. It will apply only in Member states choosing to authorise RENURE. They will need to transpose the amendment into national law. Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall said: " With the adoption of these new rules on RENURE, Europe is turning waste into value – reducing fertiliser imports, supporting farmers' competitiveness and strengthening our strategic autonomy, while safeguarding water and the environment. ” You can find more information on the adopted amendment to the Nitrates Directive online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commission greenlights Croatia's eighth payment request for €896,9 million under NextGenerationEU The European Commission positively assessed Croatia's eighth payment request for €896,9 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility , the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the areas of access to health, sustainable finance, innovative mobility, water management, agriculture and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Flagship measures in this payment requests include the expansion of pharmacy access in underserved areas and the strengthening of the pension system . The Commission has now sent its preliminary assessment of Croatia's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee , which has four weeks to deliver its opinion. The payment to Croatia can take place following the EFC's opinion, and the adoption of a payment decision by the Commission later. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission seeks feedback on the EU's post-2030 climate policy framework The European Commission has launched two calls for evidence and public consultations seeking input for the preparation of the EU's climate policy framework for the period after 2030 . The focus of both consultations is getting information on the role of national climate targets and flexibilities and on the possible use of international credits . In December 2025, the EU reached a provisional agreement to update its Climate Law . It sets a clear goal: a legally binding Climate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels. It also adds new elements and flexibilities to help countries reach this goal. Pending formal adoption, this provides the basis for updating the EU's post-2030 climate architecture. Today's consultations will play a critical role in shaping the preparation of the post- 2030 legislative proposals due in the last quarter of 2026. These consultations will help assess the role of national climate targets, currently covered under the Effort Sharing and LULUCF Regulations, and flexibilities in the EU climate policy post-2030. This includes the possibility to use high-quality international credits to make an adequate contribution towards the 2040 target. Respondents are asked for their input on how to review the EU's future climate rules to make sure they are fair, affordable, and adapted to different national situations while ensuring achievement of our climate targets . Consultations also cover the role of carbon removals and ways to give countries more flexibility and EU support, so all regions and economic sectors can move towards a climate-neutral economy. The Commission encourages broad participation from all stakeholders and the general public until 4 May 2026 . More information on the consultations of EU's post-2030 climate policy framework are available online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25) Commission approves a new geographical indication from Sweden The European Commission has approved the addition of ‘ Norrlandsströmming ' from Sweden to its register of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). ‘Norrlandsströmming' is a Swedish herring from the Swedish parts of the northern Baltic Sea, which encompasses wild-caught Clupea harengus. It is typically 12-20 cm long, with a silver hue, though sizes may vary. Fishing methods include passive gear like gillnets, handlines, and pound nets, or jigging equipment, with a requirement for landing and sorting within 24 hours post-capture. The herring can be sold whole or filleted, and its texture and flavour are influenced by fat content, which fluctuates seasonally and regionally. The low salinity of the geographical area renders ‘Norrlandsströmming' smaller, differing in taste and texture compared to Baltic herring. It possesses a flavour akin to inland fish, with a mild yet rich umami taste, with hints of lake, unwhipped cream, egg white, green asparagus, and mussels when raw. This new designation joins the more than 3,900 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission notifies Meta of possible interim measures to reverse exclusion of third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to Meta , setting out its preliminary view that Meta breached EU antitrust rules by excluding third party Artificial Intelligence (‘AI') assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp. Meta's conduct risks blocking competitors from entering or expanding in the rapidly growing market for AI assistants. The Commission therefore intends to impose interim measures to prevent this policy change from causing serious and irreparable harm on the market , subject to Meta's reply and rights of defence. On 15 October 2025, Meta announced an update of its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, effectively banning third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the application. As a result, since 15 January 2026, the only AI assistant is available on WhatsApp is Meta's own tool, Meta AI, while competitors have been excluded. The Commission has informed Meta that this policy change appears at first sight to be in breach of EU competition rules. Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “Artificial intelligence is bringing incredible innovations to consumers, and one of these is the emerging market of AI assistants. We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage. AI markets are developing at rapid pace, so we also need to be swift in our action. That is why we are considering quickly imposing interim measures on Meta, to preserve access for competitors to WhatsApp while the investigation is ongoing, and avoid Meta's new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe ” A press release is available online. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission approves €119 million Polish State aid to support forest ecosystems The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €119 million Polish measure to support investments to strengthen the resilience of mountain and lowland forest ecosystems to climate change. The aid allows for two types of investments. The first type is for water retention measures, such as the construction, extension, or reconstruction of reservoirs and the restoration of wetland area functions. The second is for measures to prevent excessive water erosion, such as building structures to stabilise landslides, the technical and biotechnical protection of ditches, or the reconstruction, extension and restoration of bridges... These investments will prevent or minimise the negative effects of climate phenomena such as droughts, fires and floods. The project follows previous investments and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund . The aid will take the form of a direct grant to the National Forest Holding, which will then manage concrete projects. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas . The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate since the investments will contribute to the reduction of the impact of extreme weather conditions on forests. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid is proportionate , as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Polish measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.120559 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears acquisition of Hauser by Epta The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Hauser GmbH of Austria by Epta S.p.A. of Italy. The transaction relates primarily to the commercial refrigeration equipment sector. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12094 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/330
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