European Commission - Daily News Daily News 13 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 13 February 2026 EU launches new toolbox to strengthen ICT supply chain security The EU introduced a new ICT Supply Chain Security Toolbox , providing an EU approach to identify, assess, and mitigate cybersecurity risks across ICT supply chains. The toolbox outlines risk scenarios and recommends mitigation measures , including the assessment of crit...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 13 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 13 February 2026 EU launches new toolbox to strengthen ICT supply chain security The EU introduced a new ICT Supply Chain Security Toolbox , providing an EU approach to identify, assess, and mitigate cybersecurity risks across ICT supply chains. The toolbox outlines risk scenarios and recommends mitigation measures , including the assessment of critical suppliers, the importance of multi-vendor strategies and approaches to overcome dependencies on high-risk suppliers . It empowers Member States to strengthen ICT supply chain security. The NIS2 Cooperation Group , which involves EU Member States, the European Commission and the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA), developed the toolbox and will review its progress in one year. Underlining the importance of ensuring security of our ICT supply chains, in the revised Cybersecurity Act presented on 20 January 2026, the Commission has also proposed a trusted ICT supply chain framework focusing on addressing non-technical risks such as foreign interference, which will allow for a harmonised approach in the most critical supply chains. The release also includes two risks assessments focusing on connected and automated vehicles , as well as detection equipment used at borders and customs. These reports provide a comprehensive analysis of cybersecurity risks, their potential consequences, and the necessary mitigation measures. Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “Cyber- attacks on ICT supply chains are increasingly sophisticated and can impact our security and economy. With the adoption of the ICT Supply Chain Security Toolbox, we intensify our efforts to protect them by increasing our common understanding on risks and how we can mitigate them." More information on the toolbox and risks assessments can be found online . (For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) Commission approves UMG's acquisition of Downtown, subject to conditions The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation , the proposed acquisition by Universal Music Group N.V. (‘UMG') of Downtown Music Holdings LLC (‘Downtown'). The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the companies, which entail the full divestment of Downtown's royalty accounting platform Curve Royalty Systems, Ltd (‘Curve'). Following its market investigation, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not lead to a significant impediment of effective competition in the markets where UMG and Downtown's activities overlap, namely in recorded music, A&L services and music publishing. At the same time, the Commission concluded that Curve processes information regarding the commercial relationship between an artist and its label. The Commission found that the transaction, as initially notified, would have harmed competition, as UMG could have gained access to commercially sensitive data of rival record labels, which is stored on Curve. To address the Commission's competition concerns, UMG and Downtown offered a remedy package consisting of the full divestment of Curve . On this basis, the Commission concluded that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns. The Commission will approve a suitable purchaser for Curve in a separate procedure. Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification, Valdis Dombrovskis , said: “ The music industry plays an important role in bringing artists' creations to audiences, and it is essential to uphold the availability of diverse service providers for consumers. Our in-depth investigation confirmed that a large number of companies will continue to offer their distribution services to European music labels and artists. By requiring the divestment of Curve, we are taking a decisive step to protect sensitive data and prevent it from being controlled by a large competitor. Today's decision reflects the Commission's dedication to promoting fair competition and supporting a thriving and diverse music landscape 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 €1.04 billion Danish State aid scheme to support landowner climate projects The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.04 billion (DKK 7.8 billion) Danish scheme to support landowners committing to voluntarily remove agricultural or forestry land from production to reduce agricultural emissions. The measure will contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy by strengthening environmental protection and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The scheme will run until 31 December 2030 and is part of a Danish initiative to finance a significant transformation of land, with the aim to create the basis for a good aquatic environment, to reduce climate pressure while providing more space for nature and better conditions for biodiversity, and to protect drinking water. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants or benefits in kind . The Commission assessed the scheme 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 under the 2022 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas . The Commission found that the measure facilitates development of an economic activity . It has an incentive effect , is necessary and appropriate and brings about positive effects that outweigh any possible negative effects. On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.119017 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News . A press release is available online (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Danish and Swedish capital injection into PostNord Logistics The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether a capital injection of approximately €15.4 million (DKK 115 million) from the PostNord Group AB into its subsidiary PostNord Logistics A/S (‘PNL') is in line with EU State aid rules. PostNord Group AB's parent PostNord AB is owned by Sweden (60%) and Denmark (40%). Today's opening follows the 2023 partial annulment by the General Court of a 2020 decision in which the Commission rejected a complaint alleging that PNL had received State aid measures through PostNord. In 2020, the Commission concluded that the capital injection did not constitute aid. The Court found that the Commission's examination of the capital injection was incomplete and insufficient when it came to whether it was made by the Danish and Swedish States. The Commission has therefore opened an in-depth investigation to assess, first, whether the capital injection is imputable to the Danish and Swedish States and, second, whether the capital injection is market-conform, meaning that it complies with the market economy operator principle. If the measure constitutes State aid, the Commission will assess whether it is compatible with the internal market. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives Denmark, Sweden and interested third parties, including PNL, the opportunity to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case numbers SA.52489 and SA.52658 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 ABReN by Grasim and BlackRock The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Aditya Birla Renewables Limited (‘ABReN') by Grasim Industries Limited (‘Grasim'), both of India, and BlackRock Group (‘BlackRock') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the sector of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12297 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of Leeds Bradford Airport by Aena and acquisition of Newcastle Airport by LA NCL Topco, DigitalBridge and Aena The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Leeds Bradford International Airport Limited of the UK by Aena Desarollo Internacional SME, SA (‘Aena') of Spain, and the acquisition of joint control of the NIAL Group Limited, which manages the Newcastle International Airport, by Newcastle Airport Local Authority Holding Company Limited (‘LA NCL Topco'), both of the UK, DigitalBridge Group Inc. (‘DigitalBridge') of the US, and Aena. The transaction relates primarily to the management of the international airports in Leeds and Newcastle, both in the UK. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets and the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12292 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Kubilius in Lithuania to discuss strengthening defence readiness Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will be in Lithuania on Monday and Tuesday for a series of engagements focused on national heritage and European security. On Monday, the Commissioner will participate in the Solemn Ceremony to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Restoration of Lithuania's Independence, honouring the historic declaration of 1918. On Tuesday, the focus will shift to the future of European security as the Commissioner will meet with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. Their meeting will focus on the implementation flagship initiatives in defence (in particular Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Defence Initiative) through regional cooperation and the use of SAFE loans to build defence readiness. Another theme of the discussions will be the continued and unwavering support for and cooperation with Ukraine, including the latest developments regarding the Ukraine loan and long-term industrial cooperation. Following the bilateral meeting, Commissioner Kubilius will deliver a keynote speech and participate in the panel discussion ‘Decision Time: How to Ensure Readiness' at the Forum on Military Mobility and Resilience. He will address the critical need to improve military mobility across the continent, ensuring that infrastructure and regulations allow for the rapid movement of troops and equipment—a vital component of the Eastern Flank's security and Europe's broader defence readiness. (For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) 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/26/411
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