Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 31.05.2026 and 07.06.2026. During this period, 4 new PQs were published and 4 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included medical device regulation, digital health data security, environmental health risks, pandemic preparedness, and EU health financing.
❓ Regulatory oversight of continuous glucose monitoring systems
In a parliamentary question (E-002029/2026 from András Tivadar Kulja, (PPE)), concerns were raised about the clinical performance data and transparency of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems entering the EU market. The question addresses the limitations of EUDAMED for medium to high-risk devices and asks how the Commission plans to ensure healthcare professionals and patients have access to transparent, comparable data on accuracy and testing conditions. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ SME competitiveness and data security in the European Health Data Space
In a parliamentary question (E-002065/2026 from Piotr Müller, (ECR)), concerns were raised regarding the potential impact of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) on the autonomy of national healthcare systems and the competitiveness of European SMEs. The MEP questioned the Commission on financial instruments to prevent EHDS certification costs from becoming a barrier, and asked about legal mechanisms to protect EU citizens’ health data from entities in countries lacking equivalent democratic standards. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Harmonisation of asbestos identification technologies
In a parliamentary question (E-002164/2026 from Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, (S&D)), the Commission was asked about harmonising asbestos identification technologies across the single market to enhance worker protection. The MEP highlighted the discrepancy in performance between scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), noting that only TEM can reliably detect the finest asbestos fibres at low concentrations, and inquired if the Commission intends to mandate the EU-wide use of TEM. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
In a parliamentary question (P-001638/2026), inquiries were made regarding the regulatory framework for PFAS. In responses published on 04.06.2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the Commission is committed to presenting a restriction proposal as soon as possible after receiving the final opinions from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The proposal will address both consumer and industrial uses to minimise PFAS emissions and will contain operational definitions aligned with the REACH Regulation.
❓ France’s ban on nicotine pouches and free movement
In a parliamentary question (E-001951/2026 from Jessica Polfjärd, (PPE)), the Commission was asked to assess France’s recent ban and classification of nicotine pouches (white snus) as a narcotic. The MEP questioned whether these rules are consistent with the EU’s principles of free movement and its motto, highlighting the cultural value of the product for Swedish citizens and its lack of risk to third parties compared to smoking. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Financial transparency in Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response
In a parliamentary question (E-001080/2026), inquiries were made concerning the financial management of pandemic preparedness. In responses published on 31.05.2026, Commissioner Síkela stated that the Commission does not regard pandemics, vaccines, or medicines as a business model. All financial support for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response is governed by strict transparency rules, with direct beneficiaries published via the Financial Transparency System. The Commissioner also clarified that the Commission did not invest in the World Bank’s 2017 pandemic bonds.
❗ EU budget allocations for health technologies and disease prevention
In a parliamentary question (E-001292/2026), the integration of healthcare spending in the redesigned EU budget was questioned. In responses published on 04.06.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) includes a health, biotech, agriculture, and bioeconomy window with an indicative budget of EUR 20.4 billion€20.4BCited figure to support public health and the medical device sectors. Additionally, EUR 19.65 billion is allocated in the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal for collaborative research, with the Commission aiming to closely connect Horizon Europe and the ECF.
❗ Funding for research on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
In a parliamentary question (E-000819/2026), the availability of research funding for under-researched medical conditions was addressed. In responses published on 31.05.2026, Commissioner Zaharieva stated that the Commission is considering including topics on high-burden conditions like ME/CFS in the future Horizon Europe (2028-2034) work programmes. For the current 2026-2027 Health Cluster, an open call topic on advancing research for post-infection long-term conditions is likely of interest to the ME/CFS community, though the Commission noted that increased oversubscription across calls is partly attributed to the rise of artificial intelligence in proposal writing.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
