EU Insight 11 September 2026

Brussels, 11 September 2026

COMMISSION PRESENTS NEW PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT

The Commission presented the Public Procurement Act that would replace the three existing directives on concessions, public procurement and utilities with a single directly applicable Regulation. The initiative aims to simplify procedures, reduce administrative burden and give public buyers more flexibility, including through a new EU‑wide digital procurement marketplace and a standard ‘best price‑quality ratio’ approach with minimum weight for quality criteria. Public buyers would be required to take account of security, resilience and wider policy goals such as environmental, social and innovation objectives, as well as European preference, when awarding contracts. The proposal also builds on the equivalence approach tested in the Industrial Accelerator Act. It now goes to the Council and Parliament for negotiation.

COMMISSION PROPOSES NEW EUROPEAN INNOVATION ACT TO HELP EU IDEAS COMPETE GLOBALLY

The Commission has tabled a new European Innovation Act, designed to stop promising EU-born ideas from being commercialised abroad instead of at home. The problem it addresses is a familiar one in Brussels: Europe has the research and the talent, but innovators still struggle to get financing and face different rules depending on where in the EU they operate. The Act would promote a common EU framework for valuing intellectual property such as patents, set up a Union-wide digital marketplace to connect innovators and IP holders with investors, and establish EU-level rules for research and development procurement, making it easier for public authorities to procure cutting-edge R&D across borders. The Commission estimates the measures could unlock over €10 billion in extra annual financing.

EU’S OUTERMOST REGIONS STRATEGY AIMS TO HARNESS THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

The Commission unveiled a new strategic vision for the EU’s nine outermost regions, spanning the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South America. The Communication underlines the regions’ biodiversity, innovation capacity and geostrategic position. It is structured around four objectives: (i) harnessing their geostrategic potential through closer regional cooperation and stronger maritime security, (ii) boosting competitiveness by supporting specialisation in areas such as the blue economy and renewable energy, (iii) improving resilience via stronger climate adaptation, disaster response and food security, and (iv) promoting social fairness through better access to employment, housing, healthcare and education. The strategy is accompanied by a regulatory package adapting selected EU rules to the specific realities of these territories, notably in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, migration and taxation.

EU DEEPENS STRATEGIC FOOTPRINT IN GREENLAND WITH €200M PACKAGE

The European Union, Greenland and Denmark signed a new Joint Declaration in Nuuk, accompanied by a €200 million Global Gateway investment package. The agreement deepens the EU-Greenland partnership in the wider Arctic region, with a focus on long‑term security, economic resilience and sustainable development. Key investments will support sustainable critical raw materials value chains, expand renewable energy infrastructure in remote settlements, and improve satellite connectivity for local communities. The package also aims to improve everyday living conditions by financing housing upgrades and sustainable tourism projects. In parallel, the Commission has proposed to more than double EU funding for Greenland under the next long‑term budget and will set out a new EU Arctic strategy later this year.

TOWARDS A CLEARER EU FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS HOUSING PRESSURES

With housing affordability and availability under pressure in many parts of the EU, the Commission has proposed a new Affordable Housing Act. As part of the European Affordable Housing Plan and competitiveness agenda, the legislation would give national, regional and local authorities a common EU framework for identifying ‘areas under housing stress’ and for assessing targeted measures affecting the use of housing, such as rules on short‑term rentals, second homes or long‑term vacancy. The aim is to provide greater legal certainty on how such measures can be compatible with single market rules while leaving housing policy choices to Member States and cities. An accompanying Recommendation encourages authorities to increase housing supply through Housing Acceleration Plans, faster permitting and better use of existing buildings.

We commemorate the victims of the 11 September attacks and their loved ones, 25 years after the tragedy.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 14-15 September: Informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy.
• 14-17 September: European Parliament’s Plenary. On the agenda: State of the Union, emissions trading, climate disasters, migration, EU health workforce.
• 15 September: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Child Safety, Fair Labour Mobility Package.
• 18 September: Eurogroup.
• 18-19 September: Informal meeting of economic and financial affairs ministers
• 20 September: Informal meeting of transport ministers.