The European Union is updating its environmental legislation in real time. Taking into account the views of industry representatives, experts and analysts, the authorities are making partial concessions in various areas relating to environmental protection or the reduction of negative impacts on the environment.
EcoPolitic has prepared an overview of the latest relaxations in EU environmental policy.
Deregulation of the Forest Regulation
The European Commission has shortened the list of products covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The mechanism is set to come into force as early as December 2026.
The EUDR aims to ensure that the production of goods does not lead to deforestation or forest degradation. This applies to product groups that are produced in the EU or imported into it. The list includes cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soya and timber, as well as a number of derivative products.
However, the European Commission has already relaxed the regulation by excluding certain items: cattle hides and skins, retreaded tyres, soya beans for sowing, vulcanised rubber products, conveyor and transmission belts, as well as aircraft and car seats.
Nevertheless, it was decided to extend the list to include instant coffee, certain palm oil derivatives and frozen cattle tongues.
Failure of “hydrogen” policy and relaxation of rules
In 2022, after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Europe clearly witnessed its vulnerability due to its dependence on Russian gas. One of the ways out of the energy crisis, as proclaimed by the bloc's authorities, was the development of its own hydrogen energy sector.
The plans were ambitious-in the EU, by 2030, to annually produce 10 million t of “green” hydrogen and import the same amount.
However, according to Euractiv, this policy has failed spectacularly. For example, during 2025, only 5% of the electrolyzers planned for that period were built.
“It is true that the pace of hydrogen production ramp-up is very, very different from our collective expectations and the plans developed by member states,” emphasized Celine Gauer, head of the EU Energy Directorate.
Therefore, the European Commission is expected to relax strict rules on “green” hydrogen production and allow longer timeframes for industry scaling. In addition, several sectoral documents are being prepared. Among them are nearly completed proposals to ease criteria for green hydrogen and a methodology for calculating how hydrogen produced using nuclear energy can be classified as “low-carbon.”
Green heating for German homes
The Bundestag has adopted a building modernization law granting owners the freedom to choose the type of heating system. This means the requirement for a minimum share of “clean” energy in heat supply has been abolished. At the same time, a mandatory switch to low-carbon fuels is “embedded” in the document.
From 2045, fuel for heating homes must be climate neutral. Emission reductions in the construction sector will be implemented gradually, introducing quotas for certain types of environmentally friendly fuels.
Biomethane and hydrogen are set to play a key role. The specific levels of the quotas, which will come into force as early as 2028, will be set out in a separate law. The government is due to publish this law on 1 December 2026.
Exceptions to the Rule on Removable Batteries
The European Battery Regulation requires that batteries built into gadgets and other devices must be removable and replaceable. Moreover, this option must be available to the consumer directly, without the involvement of specialists.
This is how the EU is tackling excessive electronic waste – a device can be repaired simply by replacing the old battery, whereas the spent element can be safely recycled. Until now, many manufacturers have intentionally welded or glued power sources so that an ordinary user could not replace them.
However, there are exceptions. Currently, certain medical devices and items designed for contact with moisture are only partially subject to the regulation. Their batteries may only be replaced by specialists, a requirement justified by safety considerations.
The European Commission has announced six additional categories that will qualify for exemptions. Specifically, this concerns fitness trackers, smartwatches, and electric children’s toys. It also includes equipment used in explosive environments. The delegated act still needs to be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Nevertheless, this decision has already faced criticism. According to Euractiv, experts have claimed that industry lobbyists provided authorities with unfounded arguments regarding safety risks.
“The fact that the small size of products is used as a justification for poorly replaceable batteries is particularly problematic, as it entrenches the move towards disposable miniature electronics. In addition to wasting resources due to short service life, these products also pose a serious fire hazard during the recycling stage,” said Thomas Opsomer of the iFixit platform, speaking on behalf of the “Right to Repair” coalition.
However, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which includes Apple, Google, and Uber, is satisfied with the European Commission’s decision.
At the same time, Europe is facing extreme heat. Earlier, EcoPolitic reported in this article on the consequences of high temperatures for countries: from forest fires to nuclear power plant shutdowns.
