EU - European Parliament - Committees - Latest news
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Highlights - Lille Designated as the Seat of the New EU Customs Authority - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
On 16 April 2026, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee is set to hold a single vote covering both the Union Customs Code reform and the choice of the seat of the future EU Customs Authority. The vote concerns a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and EU governments. This agreement, reached in March 2026, confirms Lille, France, as the future home of the EU Customs Authority. This decision followed a review of nine candidate cities.The new authority is part of wider reforms and aims to improve coordination and oversight across EU countries.
In October 2025, selection criteria were agreed, and nine countries submitted bids to host the authority.
The European Commission assessed the proposals, and IMCO members reviewed them in January 2026 during a dedicated meeting. Representatives from each country presented their plans and explained how they would support the authority.
The agreement also sets out how customs cooperation will work in practice across the EU.
The applicant European cities were the following:
- Bucharest (Romania)
- Liège (Belgium)
- Lille (France)
- Málaga (Spain)
- Porto (Portugal)
- Rome (Italy)
- The Hague (Netherlands)
- Warsaw (Poland)
- Zagreb (Croatia)
On 16 April, there will be one vote, and this single vote includes both the UCC reform and the decision on the seat of the Authority.
Press Release: Future EU Customs Authority to be headquartered in Lille, France - 25 March 2026
More on the Union Customs Code reform
WATCH the Q&A session
Press Release: Parliament endorses the seat selection procedure for the EU Customs Authority - 24 February 2026
The European Commission's assessments of the nine applications - 21 January 2026
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - SEDE: Exchange of views with EIB Vice-President DE GROOT and Commissioner KUBILIUS - Committee on Security and Defence
On 14 April, the Members of the SEDE Committee will discuss priorities for financing Defence in Europe with Robert DE GROOT, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. On 15 April, the SEDE Committee will hold a structured dialogue with Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to discuss notably the state of play of the implementation of the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 and the proposed programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE).
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Latest news - Next SEDE meetings - Committee on Security and Defence
The next meeting of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 14 April 2026from 9.00 - 12.30and 14.30 - 18.30in Brussels(room ANTALL 4Q1).
An extraordinary SEDE meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 from 13.30 - 15.00 in Brussels(room SPINELLI 3E2). Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.
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SEDE missions 2026:- Taiwan - 30 March - 2 April 2026
- Poland and Czechia - 16-18 February 2026
- Ukraine - 5-6 February 2026
- Djibouti - 27-29 October 2025
- Greenland - 15-19 September 2025
- Norway - 27-30 May 2025
- Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
- Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025
- United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
- Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Vote on Simpler Chemicals Rules While Keeping Safety High - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
On 15 April 2026, Members of the European Parliament’s environment and internal market committees will vote on proposed updates to EU rules on chemicals. The plan seeks to simplify parts of existing legislation on chemicals, cosmetics and fertilisers. It aims to lower administrative costs, especially for small businesses, while keeping strong protections for people and the environment. Negotiators have also agreed on three compromise amendments covering the full proposal.The proposed changes include adjustments to rules on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals. These aim to simplify requirements for labels, advertising and information, while still ensuring safety. New measures would allow digital contact details on labels and clarify how products can be advertised or sold online.
For cosmetics, the proposal would make it easier to grant exceptions for certain restricted substances under strict conditions. It also clarifies how safer alternatives are assessed and simplifies notification procedures, while maintaining consumer protection.
On fertilizers, the proposal supports a "digital-by-default" approach meaning information be available in an easier way. In addition, there is also the intention to update technical rules to include new materials and methods.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP -
Highlights - Exchange of views with people advocating for a free Iran - Committee on Foreign Affairs
On 15 April 2026 at 14.30-16.30, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in association with the Delegation for relations with Iran, will hold an exchange of views with representatives from Iranian democratic parties as well as democracy advocates.Guests expected to address Members are:- Shirin Ebadi (Sakharov and Nobel Peace Prize laureate) (online)
- Mustafa Hijri (leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI))
- Abdullah Mohtadi (leader and secretary general of Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan)
- Saeed Bashirtash (leader of the political organisation the 7 Aban Front)
- Sanaz Behzadi (artist and journalist, working with the Association for the Promotion of Open Society (APOS))
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP