European Commission - Daily News Daily News 20 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 20 July 2026 Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for breaching the Digital Services Act Today, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for breaching its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to diligently assess and mitigate risks relating to the sale of illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 20 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 20 July 2026 Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for breaching the Digital Services Act Today, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for breaching its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to diligently assess and mitigate risks relating to the sale of illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform. The Commission has ordered the platform to take action. AliExpress fell short of its obligation under the DSA to diligently assess the risk of dissemination of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products through its services in multiple ways and it failed to take effective measures to reduce the risk of dissemination of illegal products. The fine issued today was calculated taking into account the nature of the infringements, their gravity in terms of affected EU users, and their duration, which ran at least until June 2025, when the Commission issued preliminary findings against AliExpress. Failing to conduct proper risk assessments and to effectively mitigate systemic risks constitute particularly serious infringements of the DSA. However, in calculating the fine, the Commission also took into account mitigating circumstances that operate in favour of AliExpress, such as the novelty of the Digital Services Act. As required by the DSA, AliExpress now has until 20 October 2026 to submit an action plan to the Commission. The plan must set out measures to remedy the breach of its obligations to assess and mitigate systemic risks. The European Board for Digital Services will have one month from the receipt of the plan to issue its opinion. The Commission will then have a further month to adopt its final decision and set a reasonable period for implementation. Failure to comply with the non-compliance decision may lead to periodic penalty payments. The Commission continues to engage with AliExpress to ensure compliance with the decision and with the DSA more generally. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) Commission publishes guidelines on transparency obligations for providers and deployers of certain AI systems Today, the European Commission published guidelines to assist providers and deployers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in meeting the AI Act's transparency obligations, which start to apply on 2 August 2026. Transparency obligations will help people recognise when they are interacting with AI or when content has been generated or altered by AI, reducing the risk of deception and manipulation. The guidelines published today clarify which providers and deployers must comply with the transparency obligations for interactive AI systems and the marking and labelling of AI-generated content. Under the AI Act, AI providers will have to design AI systems to inform users when they are directly interacting with an AI and they will have to add machine-readable marks to enable the detection of AI-generated or manipulated content. Deployers will also have to inform people when they are exposed to deep fakes, to AI-generated content on matters of public interests without human review or editorial control, and to emotion recognition or biometric categorisation systems. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) Commission launches second-phase consultation of social partners on Quality Jobs Act Today, the European Commission launched the second-phase consultation of European social partners on its upcoming Quality Jobs Act. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance EU competitiveness and prosperity and was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address . The proposal to be tabled this year will aim to improve working conditions, health and safety at work, and workers' rights across the EU. The consultation focuses on five possible priority areas for EU action. More precisely , algorithmic management and artificial intelligence at work to ensure transparency, human centricity in automated decision-making and protecting employees from excessive monitoring; safety and health at work by updating rules on off-work premise workplaces and addressing specific risks like risks related to telework and psychosocial hazards (e.g. sexual harassment at work); workers' rights in subcontracting chains by improving transparency, liability, and enforcement to prevent labour exploitation; just digital and green transitions by supporting skills development and social dialogue to ensure no worker is left behind when companies adapt to the changing economy; and finally a focus will be on the enforcement and role of social partners by strengthening labour inspections, sanctions against employers for non-compliance, and social dialogue. The second-phase consultation of social partners runs until 28 September. Following this consultation, social partners may choose to initiate negotiations to reach a joint agreement. The first-stage consultation took place in December 2025 and January 2026 and gathered input from 34 EU-level social partners (12 trade unions and 22 employer organisations). Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu , said: "Europe has built the strongest social model in the world. To keep it that way, we must act now. The Quality Jobs Act is about ensuring Europe remains the best place to work and live, where innovation and fairness go hand in hand. Consulting social partners is a crucial step in shaping policies that protect workers, support businesses, and keep our economy competitive in a changing world." (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission endorses Latvia's €617 million Social Climate Plan The European Commission endorsed Latvia's Social Climate Plan — the third national plan approved under the new Social Climate Fund. Using carbon pricing revenues, the Fund ensures a fair and inclusive clean transition for vulnerable citizens and businesses. The Latvian Social Climate Plan will mobilise €617 million from this year until 2032 to help 17,000 vulnerable households living in energy inefficient homes and 453,000 transport users. The plan will benefit households already supported by the national energy costs support scheme and those living in areas with limited public transport availability. Eligible households can receive funding for home renovations and energy efficiency improvements, covering up to €15,000 for apartments and €20,000 for houses. The plan will improve the energy efficiency of social housing and buildings used to provide social services and accommodation. In addition, new energy advisory hubs will offer targeted guidance to vulnerable households, helping them reduce energy costs and improve access to available support. The plan's implementation is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 45,000 tonnes by 2032. More information is available in the press release . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65; Ana Crespo Parrondo –Tel.: +3222981325) Commission sends Statements of Objections to several companies and trade associations in suspected construction chemicals cartel The European Commission has informed several manufacturers of construction chemicals active in France, Germany and Spain as well as three national trade associations, of its preliminary view that they have breached EU antitrust rules by colluding to increase prices in the supply of chemicals for cement, concrete and mortar. In particular, the case focuses on the supply of chemical additives for cement and chemical admixtures for concrete and mortar. Chemical additives are mainly used to improve the manufacturing efficiency and performance of cement. Chemical admixtures are added to enhance performance, durability, and workability of concrete and mortar. Cement, concrete and mortar are essential materials used in construction. Their prices have a direct impact on construction costs. The Commission has preliminary concerns that between 2021 and 2022 the manufacturers coordinated future price increases for chemical additives and admixtures, in response to rising raw material costs driven in particular by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The suspected coordination by those manufacturers took place in the context of the preparation of press releases within national trade associations aimed at justifying the price increases. The Commission found three separate suspected infringements in France, Germany and Spain, and has sent Statements of Objections to all the relevant manufacturers and trade associations. If the Commission's preliminary view is confirmed, this conduct would infringe competition rules that prohibit cartels ( Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). A press release is available online (For more information: Siobhan McGarry– Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission approves €500 million Italian State aid scheme for farmers affected by floods and landslides The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €500 million Italian scheme to support farmers affected by floods and landslides that occurred in September 2024, in the Emilia- Romagna region. The scheme will compensate companies for damages suffered and support investments for restoring agricultural production potential. The scheme is open to companies of all sizes, active in primary agricultural production, processing and in marketing of agricultural products. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants covering up to 100% of the investment costs for restoring the production potential up to the level existing before the natural disasters, and up to 100% of the damages suffered by companies as a direct consequence of the natural disasters. This includes material damage to assets such as buildings and equipment, loss of income and costs resulting from the natural disaster. The scheme will run until 17 September 2028. The Commission assessed the scheme under Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU'), which allows Member States to grant aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences. The Commission found that the floods and landslides were classified as a natural disaster and that the scheme serves only to compensate for the damages effectively caused by the natural disasters. Furthermore, it introduces an appropriate mechanism to ensure that there will be no overcompensation. The Commission also assessed the investment part of the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, 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 scheme is necessary and appropriate to ensure that farmers implement measures to immediately restore their agricultural production and resume their activities. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme 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 Italian scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.122427 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) Commission approves amendment to Italian State aid scheme to compensate energy- intensive companies for indirect emission costs The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment and budget increase to an Italian scheme that compensates energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from carbon costs (‘indirect emission costs') under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS') . The scheme aims to reduce the risk of these companies relocating their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies, resulting in an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme was originally approved by the Commission in July 2021 . Under the scheme, compensation is granted to eligible companies through a partial refund of the indirect emission costs incurred in the previous year, with the final payment to be made in 2031. The aid amount is calculated based on electricity consumption efficiency benchmarks, to ensure beneficiaries are encouraged to save energy. The amended scheme will extend the eligibility to companies active in new sectors deemed at risk of relocating, as listed in the Annex of the amended ETS State aid Guidelines . Italy also notified an increase in the maximum aid intensity from 75% to 80% of the indirect emissions costs solely for sectors already covered by the scheme. The total estimated budget of the amended scheme will increase from €1.5 billion to €3.6 billion and the maximum annual budget from €140 million to €600 million. The Commission assessed the amended scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular the ETS State aid Guidelines . The Commission found that the amended scheme complies with the requirements set out in the Guidelines. In particular, it found that the amended scheme remains necessary and appropriate to support energy-intensive companies in coping with higher electricity prices and to avoid them relocating. Finally, the Commission concluded that the aid is still proportionate as it continues to be limited to the minimum necessary and will have limited impact on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the amended scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.122463 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner McGrath in Washington DC to strengthen EU-US cooperation on data flows, consumer protection and judicial cooperation Commissioner McGrath is in Washington DC, US, today and tomorrow for a series of high-level meetings with US authorities and legislators, as well as with civil society representatives. The visit will focus on EU-US cooperation, the protection of consumers and children online and offline, judicial cooperation, and EU-US cooperation on data protection On Monday, Commissioner McGrath will meet with Beth Williams, Board Member of Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, to discuss the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and the protection of minors online. These topics will also be central to Commissioner McGrath' s discussions with Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Peter Feldman. The Commissioner will also participate in a public event and a roundtable with business representatives at the Atlantic Council to discuss the EU's competitiveness and digital agenda. On Tuesday, discussions around EU-US cooperation in the area of data protection will continue with Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Andrew Ferguson. The Commissioner will also meet with several members from the US Congress to further discuss some of these joint priorities. Throughout the visit, Commissioner McGrath will take the opportunity to exchange with his counterparts on the EU's 2030 Consumer Agenda , as well as on the upcoming the Digital Fairness Act. (For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79) 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/26/1656
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