Inside the EU Commission’s 2026 Work Programme
On 21 October 2025, the European Commission presented the Work Programme for 2026, setting out the key strategies, action plans and legislative initiatives that will guide its work throughout next year. Much like its 2025 predecessor, the 2026 programme builds on the seven headline ambitions set out in the political guidelines, including sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, sustaining Europe’s quality of life, and simpler rules and strong delivery. Central to this vision are our favourite words, “deeper Single Market integration”, viewed as the key enabler of this mandate’s core priority: competitiveness, growth, and economic resilience, supported by simplification, effective implementation and enforcement.
Don’t forget it’s a plan, not a promise
Despite the commitments outlined in the programme, and even before 2026 begins, reality is already interfering with its delivery. Taking the REACH Revision, for example: although a proposal was expected before the end of 2025 and therefore does not appear in the 2026 list, the Commission has now confirmed that its publication will slip to Q1 2026, contradicting the timeline set out in the previous Work Programme. A similar situation applies to the Green Claims Directive (GCD). Although listed among the pending proposals for 2026, it now appears increasingly likely that file will not move forward under the next Council Presidency.
Should we wish to the stars instead?
The 2026 Work Programme was presented as a pitch for unity, a programme for delivery, and a plan for a more independent Europe. But to meet the scale of today’s challenges, Europe will need more than a refreshed list of ambitions. Industry and businesses require legal certainty and clarity to make sound decisions and to commit safely to the objectives set out in EU legislation. And we know that strengthening certainty will not solve every obstacle, but it can provide the stable foundation needed to turn Europe’s ambitions into credible, tangible progress. So now that we have the compass, it’s time to unwrap the action and make sure the marks are met on time.
WHAT DID YOU MISS?
21 October 2025: Publication of the 2026 Work Programme
WHAT'S NEXT?
Q1 2026: Publication of the REACH Revision
Q1 2026: Publication of the 28th Legal Regime
Q3 2026: Unveiling of the Circular Economy Act