PFAS Regulation, Online Marketplace Safety & Medicine Supply Security

❗ EU-US trade tariffs on health-related goods

Regarding tariffs on health-related goods in EU-US trade (E-005018/2025), the Commission responded to a prior question. In a response published on 12 February 2026, Commissioner Šefčovič stated that the Commission recognises the importance of the life sciences supply chain and consistently seeks a zero-for-zero tariff outcome with the US for health goods. He noted that a Joint Statement from August 2025 resulted in the EU eliminating all such tariffs, while the US committed to exemptions for generic medicines and a cap for other pharmaceutical products, with work ongoing to expand the scope of US tariff exclusions.

❗ Sale of counterfeit goods on online marketplaces

In relation to the sale of goods infringing intellectual property rights (E-004786/2025), which can impact consumer health, the Commission clarified its position. In a response published on 11 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained that online marketplaces must comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which includes mechanisms to flag illegal content. He confirmed that the Commission opened in-depth investigations into AliExpress and Temu in 2024 and 2025 for potential breaches of their obligations to mitigate risks related to the dissemination of illegal products.

❗ Safety and advertising of cosmetics for children

Regarding the safety of cosmetic products aimed at children (E-004935/2025), the Commission outlined the existing regulatory framework. In a response published on 11 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the Cosmetics Regulation requires all products to be safe for all consumers, with strict safety assessments considering vulnerable groups like children. While the regulation does not cover advertising, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive prohibits directly exhorting children to buy products or persuade their parents to do so.

❓ mRNA and DNA vaccines regulatory framework

In E-000398/2026, published on 10 February 2026, Gerald Hauser (PfE) questioned the Commission about the regulatory classification of mRNA and DNA vaccines, suggesting they qualify as gene therapy but were exempted from relevant legislation in 2009. The MEP asks for the Commission’s view on claims by a former US CDC director and calls for an investigation into long-term spike protein production post-vaccination. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Compatibility of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement with the Critical Medicines Act

Friedrich Pürner (NI) submitted a question (E-000460/2026), published on 13 February 2026, concerning the EU-India Free Trade Agreement. The MEP asks if the Commission has assessed the agreement’s impact on the EU’s medicine supply and whether it could undermine the objectives of the Critical Medicines Act by increasing dependency and weakening supply chain diversification. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ The EMA building in London

In E-000350/2026, published on 10 February 2026, Kateřina Konečná (NI) raised concerns about the ongoing financial burden on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from its former premises in London. The MEP noted that this situation negatively impacts the EMA’s ability to focus on its core public health activities and asked if the Commission is communicating with the UK to find a political solution. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Simplifying requirements for small-scale cosmetics producers

Inese Vaidere (PPE) asked the Commission (P-000488/2026) about the regulatory burden on small home producers of natural and organic cosmetics. In the question, published on 10 February 2026, she asks if the Commission is considering a more risk-based and differentiated approach for low-risk cosmetic products made in small volumes from local, natural ingredients. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Access to cross-border healthcare

The Commission addressed a question on access to cross-border healthcare (P-004830/25). In a response published on 12 February 2026, Commissioner McGrath clarified that while Directive 2011/24/EU facilitates access to cross-border healthcare, the organisation and delivery of health services remain a Member State responsibility under Article 168(7) TFEU. Therefore, the Commission cannot intervene in decisions by healthcare providers. The response also noted that disparities in healthcare access in Spain are addressed within the European Semester framework.

❓ Shortage of doctors and recognition of qualifications

In E-000391/2026, published on 10 February 2026, Jan Farský (PPE) asked the Commission about the steps being taken to accelerate the recognition of medical diplomas, facilitate faster recruitment of doctors from other EU countries, and whether further regulatory measures are planned to address healthcare workforce shortages. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Cross-border emergency healthcare in border regions

Jan Farský (PPE) also submitted a question (E-000389/2026) on the challenges of cross-border emergency services, published on 10 February 2026. The MEP highlighted that legal and administrative barriers still prevent the use of closer emergency services across borders in acute situations and asked what steps the Commission is taking to remove these barriers and promote automatic cross-border cooperation. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ EU support for endometriosis research and care

In response to a question about endometriosis (E-004731/25), the Commission outlined its supporting role. In a reply published on 11 February 2026, Commissioner Zaharieva stated that while Member States are responsible for medical care, the Commission supports them through the ‘Healthier Together’ EU NCD initiative and the EU4Health programme. She highlighted that over EUR 2 billion have been invested in women’s health research via Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, including 15 projects on endometriosis worth EUR 47 million.

❗ EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Child Guarantee

The Commission provided details on its anti-poverty initiatives in an answer to question E-000058/2026. In a response published on 12 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu explained that the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and a dedicated initiative to strengthen the European Child Guarantee (ECG) aim to break the intergenerational cycle of disadvantage by guaranteeing access to key services for children in need. Progress is monitored through the European Semester and the Social Protection Committee.

❓ LGBTIQ+ Strategy and medical transition for minors

A question from Christine Anderson (ESN), Sebastian Kruis (PfE), and Marieke Ehlers (PfE) (E-000395/2026) published on 10 February 2026, addresses the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030. Citing recent evidence reviews, the MEPs question the scientific basis for medical transition in minors and ask if the Commission will conduct a child protection impact assessment and ensure EU-funded materials prioritise mental health evaluation. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Protecting people with coeliac disease

Stefano Cavedagna (ECR) asked about policies for people with coeliac disease in a question (E-000448/2026) published on 13 February 2026. The MEP questioned whether the current EU regulatory framework is sufficient to ensure uniform protection across Member States and if the Commission intends to promote coordination initiatives to improve access to gluten-free products and safe catering services. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Digital Omnibus III and GDPR data protection concerns

In a priority question (P-000438/2026) published on 10 February 2026, Christine Anderson (ESN) challenged the Commission’s assertion that its Digital Omnibus III proposal only makes targeted clarifications to the GDPR. The MEP cites Member State objections from Council discussions which warn that the proposal may lower data protection levels and enable cross-system profiling, asking the Commission to respond to these specific legal concerns. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Financial support for telemedicine

Fredis Beleris (PPE) inquired about financial support for telemedicine in islands, mountainous, and remote areas (E-000480/2026), published on 12 February 2026. The MEP asks which European financial instruments for 2021-2027 can be used to strengthen telemedicine and whether the Commission plans financial support for digital health infrastructure and training in the next MFF (2028-2034). A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Regulation of PFAS and F-gases

The Commission responded to a question on PFAS use in construction (P-000010/26). In a reply published on 10 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné confirmed that the restriction dossier for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under REACH, currently being evaluated by ECHA, includes the use of PFAS in construction products. The Commission will address their use via the upcoming REACH restriction to protect citizens and the environment.

❗ Emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases and PFAS

In a related answer (E-000034/26) published on 12 February 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that Regulation (EU) 2024/573 has reinforced rules to prevent emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). He also reiterated that the scientific assessment of the universal PFAS restriction dossier is ongoing at ECHA, with a Commission proposal to follow once the agency’s opinion is received by the end of 2026.

❓ Occupational health risks from high temperatures

Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left) raised the issue of deaths at work due to high temperatures (E-000412/2026), published on 12 February 2026. Citing the increasing risk of heat stress as a structural occupational hazard, the MEP asks if the Commission recognises this as a systemic risk requiring EU-level attention and if it intends to propose binding legislation on occupational exposure to high temperatures. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Food safety concerns in the EU-Mercosur agreement

A question from Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI) and Kostas Papadakis (NI) (E-000479/2026), published on 12 February 2026, criticises the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The MEPs ask how the Commission can guarantee that food produced using hormones or pesticides banned in the EU will not enter the European market, given that monitoring is considered practically impossible. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Pesticide-contaminated soils in Europe

Following a study showing that 70% of Europe’s soils contain pesticide residues, César Luena (S&D) submitted a question (E-000426/2026) published on 12 February 2026. He asks how the Commission will integrate these findings into the application of the new Soil Monitoring Directive, particularly for selecting contaminants for the watchlist of soil pollutants. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Record-keeping for plant protection products

Christine Schneider (PPE) questioned the record-keeping obligations for users of plant protection products (P-000482/2026), published on 11 February 2026. The MEP asks how it is guaranteed that the data is used only for statistics and not for monitoring, and questions the added value of the documentation for the public and farms. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Environmental and health impacts of a lithium mine in a UNESCO site

In E-000533/2026, published on 13 February 2026, Martin Günther (The Left) raised concerns about an application for a lithium mine in a UNESCO World Heritage site on the German/Czech border. The MEP highlights risks to drinking water for 150,000 people and toxic dust from mining operations, asking how the Commission will assess these impacts before any decision on Strategic Project status. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ EU-prescribed diesel additive failing in freezing conditions

Eero Heinäluoma (S&D) submitted a priority question (P-000520/2026) on 12 February 2026, stating that the AdBlue urea solution, required by the EU to reduce diesel emissions, freezes at -11°C and is failing in Finnish winter conditions. This affects transport, machinery, and Finland’s security of supply. The MEP asks if the Commission is aware of the problem and will permit alternative additives. A response from the Commission is pending.

All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.