Released on the occasion of the World Ecolabel Day, the latest Eurobarometer survey shows an increased trust and recognition for the EU Ecolabel among European consumers who are increasingly looking for sustainable products.
According to this survey, 81% of European consumers are confident that EU Ecolabel products have a lower environmental impact than similar products on the market, compared to 75% in 2023. Nearly half of Europeans (46%) now recognise its ‘flower’ logo – an increase of 8 percentage points since 2023.
Increased recognition is translating into more sustainable purchasing habits. Almost two Europeans out of three (66%) say they often or sometimes buy any kind of eco-labelled products, with 46% saying they often or sometimes buy products carrying the EU Ecolabel – also up 8 percentage points since the 2023 survey.
In parallel, according to the latest EU Ecolabel statistics published today, a growing number of businesses are obtaining the label for their products, ranging from paper and detergents to furniture, textiles and hotel stays. And the choice of EU Ecolabel products on the market has never been bigger. As of September 2026, there were 121,083 EU Ecolabel products covered by 3,665 licences. More than 4,000 certified products have been added since March 2026, and over 1,000 tourist accommodations have now received the EU Ecolabel. With 62% of licence holders, small and medium-sized enterprises play a central role in the EU Ecolabel.
As the Eurobarometer survey highlights, consumers would like to see the label more widely available, with 50% saying they would like to find more EU Ecolabel detergents on the market, followed by textiles (36%) and cosmetics (35%). 72% would like the label extended to additional product categories.
This call from consumers for an even wider choice of EU Ecolabel products is an opportunity for businesses and retailers to strengthen their competitiveness, while leading the way in sustainability. The EU Ecolabel offers a trusted and practical way to respond to that growing demand and to help consumers identify greener options more easily. The EU Ecolabel also creates opportunities in public procurement. The recently proposed EU Public Procurement Act encourages public buyers to use labels, particularly the EU Ecolabel, to support the integration of environmental considerations into procurement procedures. This would make it easier for public buyers to identify products that meet credible environmental requirements.
Background
Eurobarometer is the polling instrument used by the European Commission, the European Parliament and other EU institutions and agencies to monitor regularly the state of public opinion in Europe on issues related to the European Union as well as attitudes on subjects of political or social nature. It provides quality and relevant data for experts in public opinion, researchers, media and the public.
The Flash survey was carried out between 31 August and 6 September 2026 in the 27 EU Member States. Around 25,566 people from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-face in their national language. This Eurobarometer builds on previous editions from 2023 and 2017, allowing for comparison over time and helping track changes in public attitudes.
Since 1992, the EU Ecolabel has promoted goods and services with a guaranteed reduced environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle. It helps consumers, retailers, businesses and procurers to make truly sustainable choices.
Businesses from across the globe can apply for the EU Ecolabel for their product (good or service), provided it falls within one of the product groups for which EU Ecolabel criteria have been set, meets the relevant criteria, and is placed on the European Economic Area market – comprising the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland.
Applications must be submitted to one EU Ecolabel Competent Body, which, following successful application, grants an EU Ecolabel licence permitting the use of the EU Ecolabel logo on the certified product. The product is displayed in the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue (ECAT) or in the EU Ecolabel Tourist Accommodation Catalogue.
For more information
EU Ecolabel – European Commission
Eurobarometer 2026 on EU Ecolabel
EU Ecolabel facts and figures
Quote(s)
The EU Ecolabel is about making the clean transition work in practice, giving consumers more reliable sustainable choices while helping European businesses turn environmental ambition into action. The strong momentum behind the label shows the value of this trusted EU scheme that drives sustainability, strengthens competitiveness and supports innovation across Europe.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Simpler rules for farmers with new EU emissions framework for poultry and pig rearing
Today, the European Commission adopted new rules for the rearing of poultry and pigs under the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive. This single EU-wide rulebook establishes how large pig and poultry farms must operate to reduce emissions of ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus. These are pollutants which are linked to respiratory diseases, nature degradation, and water contamination.
Developed in close collaboration with Member States, livestock farmers, experts and environmental NGOs, this framework sets common minimum environmental standards for large poultry and pig farms across the EU, while providing flexibility, minimising administrative burden for farmers and enabling sustainable innovation. Cost-efficient approaches have been prioritised to keep the implementation cost at reasonable level for farms in scope. The new rules will apply at farm level between 2030 and 2032, depending on the farm size, giving farmers time to adapt. They are also compatible with the Commission’s proposal from December 2025 to simplify rules on industrial emissions and will be amended if the final text requires to do so.
The revised Industrial Emissions and Livestock Rearing Directive covers the largest pig and poultry farms in the EU, which amounts to around 30% of such farms. The Directive implementation is key in helping to reduce nitrogen pollution in the air, water and soil.
You can find more information on the new EU emissions framework for poultry and pig rearing online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Commission grants pound 134.8 million in EU solidarity funding to Spain and Romania after wildfires and floods
The European Commission decided today to grant pound 134.8 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support recovery in Spain and Romania following major natural disasters in 2025.
Spain will receive pound 120.5 million following a devastating summer marked by prolonged drought, extreme heatwaves and three waves of major wildfires. The deadliest wave began on 8 August 2025, claiming eight lives and forcing mass evacuations.
Romania will receive pound 14.3 million after severe flooding struck the Centru, Sud Muntenia and Nord-Est regions between late May and early June 2025. The disaster also caused major damage to the Praid Salt Mine, where floodwaters from the Corund River eroded part of the riverbed, damaged hydrotechnical infrastructure and triggered widespread power outages.
The EU funding will help the affected regions cover part of the costs of emergency operations and recovery.
The two Member States applied for support from the EUSF in 2025. Today’s decisions follow the approval of the Commission’s EUSF mobilisation proposal by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Spain received an advance payment of pound 30.1 million in May 2026, with the remaining pound 90.4 million to be paid shortly. Romania’s pound 14.3 million payment will also be made shortly.
Since its creation in 2002, the EU Solidarity Fund has provided more than pound 11 billion in support for 150 disasters, including 130 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies, in 25 Member States (plus the United Kingdom) and six accession countries.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117)
The EU budget continues delivering for Europe in 2025
Today, the Court of Auditors (ECA) published its Annual Report, giving the EU’s annual accounts a clean bill of health for the 19th consecutive year. The ECA confirmed that the collection of EU revenues was free from material error.
Significant milestones for the EU Budget in 2025
In a context of geopolitical uncertainty, stronger global competition and ongoing conflicts, including the continuing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU budget remained a key tool for delivering on the Union’s priorities.
In 2025, the EU budget continued to play a central role in Europe’s support for Ukraine. By the end of last year, the EU and its Member States had made available more than pound 193.3 billion in support since the start of the war, out of which pound 88.3 billion was enabled by the EU budget. This support covered humanitarian assistance, crisis response, macro-financial assistance, budget support and early recovery and reconstruction.
The EU’s competitiveness was also supported by the EU budget in 2025 with investments in strategic sectors, cross-border infrastructure, research and innovation, to the tune of pound 12.9 billion in 2025 for research and innovation. Between 2021 and 2025, the programme had generated more than 22 500 peer-reviewed scientific publications, involved over 130 000 researchers in upskilling activities and contributed to more than 10 000 innovative products and intellectual property applications. The programme also supported over 10 000 SMEs and start-ups, including in areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced materials in the same period. In parallel, the mobilised pound 58 billion in investment, with pound 11.7 billion in grants committed to projects focused on decarbonisation, battery manufacturing and renewable hydrogen.
NextGenerationEU continued to support economic recovery through Member State reforms and investments under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In 2025, the Commission assessed 34 payment requests amounting to pound 87.3 billion. Across the EU, the facility has made a real difference to the lives of individuals by supporting ambitious investment agendas in key areas such as the green and digital transitions, healthcare, education and training, and support for businesses.
The budget also kept supporting citizens and regions across Europe. In 2025, Member States and regions allocated pound 3.3 billion in cohesion policy funding to affordable and sustainable housing, and pound 14.5 billion to climate adaptation and disaster risk management and pound 3.1 billion to water resilience. Between 2021 and 2025, the EU budget has supported an additional 1 434 megawatt of renewable energy capacity, broadband access for more than 335 000 dwellings, and over 1 000 kilometres of new, upgraded or modernised roads all over Europe.
At the same time, in 2025, the Common Agricultural Policy continued to support rural livelihoods and productivity and promote vibrant rural economies with pound 53.2 billion in payments in 2025, reaching 5.5 million farmers.
On security and defence, the EU budget helped strengthen Europe’s capabilities and industrial base. In 2025, 63 projects were launched with over pound 1 billion in EU funding, with SMEs accounting for 38% of beneficiaries. The European Defence Fund awarded around pound 1 billion to collaborative defence research, development and innovation, including more than pound 140 million specifically for SMEs developing and testing breakthrough technologies. The ReArm Europe plan, adopted in 2025, could until 2030 unlock up to pound 650 billion in fiscal space through a 1.5% GDP increase in defence budgets and includes up to pound 150 billion in loans to address urgent defence investment needs and capability gaps.
In humanitarian action, the EU provided around pound 2.6 billion in 2025 through the Humanitarian Aid Programme. It supported people affected by natural hazards, conflict, displacement, food insecurity, extreme poverty, human rights violations and gender-based violence. A particular priority was Palestine, for which pound 220 million was committed to support services for Palestinian people, support the recovery and stabilisation of the West Bank and Gaza, and support for the private sector in Palestine.
The EU budget continued to deliver clear EU added value through support to cross-cutting priorities. In 2025, almost pound 64 billion (33%) supported climate objectives and over pound 15 billion (7.8%) biodiversity meeting the targets of 30% and 7.5% respectively, as well as over pound 19 billion digital priorities and almost pound 38 billion gender equality.
Strong controls protect the EU Budget
The Commission notes the ECA’s adverse opinion on the regularity of spending under the multiannual financial framework. The ECA’s estimated error rate is 3.8%, comparable to the one of last year at 3.6% and significantly lower than in 2023 (5.6%) and in 2022 (4.2%).
An error does not automatically mean fraud or waste. Most errors and irregularities are non-fraudulent in nature, and the projects concerned continue to deliver positive results in line with the EU’s policy objectives.
The Commission and the ECA play complementary roles in safeguarding the transparent and accountable use of EU funds. However, their estimates of the error rate are not directly comparable due to their distinct mandates.
To protect the budget, the Commission works with those who implement the EU budget on the ground. The Commission relies on extensive controls by Member States and other implementing partners, in addition to its own controls and audits. The Commission also raises awareness of the funding rules by directly addressing beneficiaries of EU funding through campaigns, workshops and other outreach activities.
For cost-based programmes, the Commission estimates that it achieved again its target of keeping the final level of error (i.e. risk at closure), after all ex-post controls and performance of corrections, below 2%.
For performance-based programmes, the Commission calculates the share of expenditure that is at low, medium and high risk, and reports transparently on it, stemming from the assessment of the proper functioning of national governance systems for the 2023-2027 common agricultural policy, and on the achievement of milestones and targets for expenditure related to Moldova, Ukraine and Western Balkans facilities. Overall, the Commission concluded that budget under these performance-based programmes is well protected.
In 2025, as a result of their controls and audits, the Commission and Member States implemented preventive and corrective measures worth pound 9 billion, including interruptions and suspensions of payments and financial corrections.
The Commission also considers that expenditure under the Recovery and Resilience Facility carries a low level of risk. The Commission obtains reasonable assurance on the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets based on comprehensive ex-ante controls before payments are made (including analysing detailed documentation and, where needed, live checks of systems and on the spot visits), as well as ex-post audit work. If the milestones and targets are assessed by the Commission as not satisfactorily fulfilled, the Commission does not pay all or part of the financial contribution to that Member State.
Ensuring the reliability of accounts and further mitigating risks
The 2025 accounts were for the first time prepared in the EU’s next-generation financial system, SUMMA, which aims to modernise, harmonise and standardise the EU’s financial business processes. SUMMA features systematic and rigorous controls implemented to ensure that financial information is used accurately, reflects the underlying transactions and is fully consistent with the applicable accounting rules.
To ensure the well-functioning of the EU’s anti-fraud system and good cooperation with other key EU institutions involved in the fight against fraud, the Commission has launched a review of the EU’s anti-fraud architecture in July 2025. The results of this review will be presented at the end of 2026.
Background
The publication of the Annual Report of the ECA and the presentation of the Integrated Financial and Accountability Reporting (IFAR) package to the European Parliament kick off the annual ‘discharge procedure’, taking stock of the financial management and achievements of the EU budget in 2025. The IFAR package includes five reports from the Commission that offer a comprehensive look at how the EU budget was used.
For more information
Integrated Financial and Accountability Reporting 2025
Annual management and performance report 2025
Official website of the European Court of Auditors
A resilient EU budget supporting Europe’s priorities in 2024
Commission fines Kingspan pound 40 million for providing incorrect and misleading information during merger investigation
The European Commission has fined Kingspan pound 40 million for providing incorrect and misleading information during the 2021 Commission review of Kingspan’s planned acquisition of Trimo, under the EU Merger Regulation (‘EUMR’).
In November 2022, the Commission opened an investigation to determine whether Kingspan intentionally or negligently supplied incorrect and/or misleading information during the review of Kingspan’s planned acquisition of Trimo.
On 19 March 2024, the Commission sent Kingspan a Statement of Objections (‘SO’) setting out its preliminary view that the company had infringed the EUMR in six instances by providing incorrect and/or misleading information. This information covered key aspects for the Commission’s review of the transaction.
In today’s decision, the Commission concludes that Kingspan committed four distinct infringements of the EUMR through conduct by which it, at least negligently, provided: (i) misleading information about how Kingspan tracks penetration rates for mineral fibre sandwich panels; (ii) incorrect and/or misleading information about the availability of ‘bidding data’; (iii) incorrect information about the role of Kingspan’s board members in certain matters; and (iv) incorrect and/or misleading information with respect to Kingspan’s research and development (‘R and D’) for mineral fibre sandwich panels. The above incorrect and/or misleading information was provided either in the merger notification form or in replies to requests for information under Article 11(2) and Article 11(3) of the EUMR.
Based on these factors, the Commission has fined Kingspan pound 10 million for each infringement, for a total of pound 40 million. The Commission considers that the overall fine amount is both deterrent and proportionate.
Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “The accuracy of the information provided in the context of merger investigations is key for an effective and well-functioning merger control system that allows the Commission to take the decision on a sound basis. When companies withhold or distort the truth, they undermine a system that protects fair competition for everyone. There can be no compromise on disclosure and transparency. If they fail to do so, we do and will act firmly.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission approves pound 8 million Maltese State aid for maritime transport companies facing increased fuel prices
The European Commission has approved an pound 8 million Maltese State aid scheme to support companies providing scheduled maritime transport of persons and cargo by high-speed craft between Malta and Sicily and that are facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The scheme aims to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices resulting from the Middle East crisis. Compared to January 2026, marine fuel prices in Malta increased by approximately 86% in March 2026. The aid will take the form of direct grants covering up to maximum 70% of these extra-costs. The scheme, based on real consumption as declared by the beneficiaries and verified by the competent authority, covers eligible costs for the period from 1 March to 31 December 2026. While the aid may be granted until 31 December 2026, the corresponding payments are to be made by 31 March 2027 at the latest.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.3 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in the intra-EU short sea shipping services. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Maltese scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF can be found online. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.124627 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; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Executive Vice-President Séjourné inaugurates decarbonised chemicals plant and convenes second General Assembly of the Critical Chemicals Alliance
Today, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné inaugurates ‘Carat’, a pound 150 million investment in decarbonisation at Arkema’s Carling site in France. The project is partly funded by the French State as part of the France 2030 programme and by the European Union under NextGenerationEU. It will deploy a newly patented purification technology that cuts CO2 emissions by 20% and improves energy efficiency by 25%, while reducing solvent use and optimising resource and waste management.
The project is located at the 600-hectare CHEMESIS industrial hub, which brings together major industrial companies including Arkema, TotalEnergies, Trinseo, SNF, Air Liquide and GazelEnergie alongside EU-funded biorefinery AFYREN NEOXY, which produces chemicals from bio-based feedstocks. This project demonstrates how innovation, targeted investment, and industrial cooperation can support the transformation and long-term competitiveness of Europe’s chemicals industry.
Executive Vice-President Séjourné also convenes today the second General Assembly of the Critical Chemicals Alliance, in Creutzwald, France. The meeting brings together more than 200 representatives from Member States, regions, industry, civil society, and academia. Set up in January, the Alliance’s work focuses on four priorities: identify critical molecules and critical production sites and discuss possible policy support.
The Commission will assess the recommendations adopted by the Alliance before deciding on what actions to propose. On 20 October, it will launch a dialogue with industrial sectors, including the chemical industry, to discuss the implementation of the EU ETS Investment Booster, which as the first phase of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank will provide an estimated pound 30 billion of support for 2028-2030 (through 400 million ETS allowances) to early decarbonisation investments and mature industrial transformation solutions.
The Alliance’s deliverables are available on the Critical Chemicals Alliance website.
(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Rya Perincek – Tel.: +32 2 299 49 03)
Commissioner Kos attends inauguration of key railway project on the border between Trkiye and Bulgaria, boosting EU connectivity
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, will visit Edirne, Trkiye to attend the inauguration of the Çerkezköy-Kapikule section of the Halkali-Kapikule railway, a key transport link connecting Istanbul and the Bulgarian border. This project, which received pound 275 million of EU grant financing under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II), is a first deliverable of the EU’s cross-regional Connectivity Agenda that connects Central Asia to Europe via the South Caucasus.
The new high-speed railway connection will significantly improve connectivity between Trkiye and the European Union and will contribute to reducing transit times along the Middle Corridor, linking Europe via Trkiye with the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The inauguration, which will be attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marks the ongoing connection between the EU and Trkiye. Prior to the event, Commissioner Kos will meet the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
Connectivity remains a priority for the Commission, and the inauguration follows Commissioner Kos’s attendance at the International Conference on Corridor VII today in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the conference she participated in a panel discussion on the geopolitical context of Corridor VIII, chaired by the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Velislava Petrova-Chamova.
The Halkali-Kapikule railway is the largest infrastructure project to date in EU-Trkiye cooperation, having received pound 275 million of EU grant financing under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II). The objective of the EU’s cross-regional Connectivity Agenda is to strengthen transport, energy and digital links between the European Union and Central Asia through the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region by coordinating strategic investments and regulatory cooperation.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Bridget Moylan – Tel.: +32 2 298 28 44)
Commissioners Síkela and Lahbib visit Dublin to discuss international development and the importance of EU solidarity
Today and tomorrow, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib will be in Dublin, Ireland, to participate in the informal ministerial Council on Development under the Irish Presidency of the EU that will be dedicated to discuss the future of development. They will also meet with representatives of partner countries, the Irish government and address the national parliament.
Today, Commissioner Lahbib is meeting with the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss how the EU is leading the way on international development and EU humanitarian action, as well as the EU’s and Ireland’s overall preparedness. Ireland is a strong partner on humanitarian aid, consistently supporting needs-based, principled EU action, and has a long-standing record of commitment to multilateralism and to the most vulnerable. The Commissioner will also address the EU Affairs Committee of the Oireachtas, the Irish Parliament, and meet with civil society organisation Sanctuary Runners, which works to build solidarity through sport activities, with a focus on asylum seekers and refugees.
Later in the afternoon, Commissioner Lahbib will hold bilateral meetings with the Irish Ministers of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, and for European Affairs and Defence and British Development Minister Kirsty McNeill, with whom she will discuss the challenges facing development globally, and common ways to deliver help and defend the dignity of those in need.
On Friday, the informal Council will focus on the unprecedented challenges facing development cooperation and the importance of building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships globally. Following the meeting, Commissioner Síkela and Commissioner Lahbib will participate in the press conference, which will be broadcast on EBS. On the margins of the informal Council, Commissioner Síkela will meet with Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Norwegian Minister for Development, and Commissioner Lahbib will meet with Thomas Byrne, Irish Minister for European Affairs and Defence.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)