Pandemic Transparency, Cross-Border Healthcare & Counterfeit Nicotine

❓ Revision of EU legislation on healthcare abroad

In a PQ (E-003532/2026 from Mihai Tudose, (S&D)), concerns were raised regarding the bureaucratic and financial obstacles European patients face when seeking treatment in another Member State. The question addresses the need for improved coordination of national public health systems, the interoperability of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and inquires whether the Commission is considering a revision of the directive to ensure equitable access to healthcare. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Transparency of EU pandemic policy

In a PQ (E-003422/2026 from Friedrich Pürner, (NI)), the transparency of the EU’s COVID-19 pandemic policy was questioned following reports from national committees of inquiry. The inquiry focuses on the involvement of Commission representatives or EU agencies in confidential meetings at the Member State level and asks what steps are being taken to make the decision-making basis for EU pandemic policy fully accessible ex post. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Midwives’ professional qualifications

In a PQ (E-002727/2026), the focus was on the update of minimum training requirements for midwives under Directive 2005/36/EC. In a response published on 14.09.2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that the delegated directive updating these requirements is based on a July 2025 study and broad stakeholder consultations. The update aims to reflect professional consensus while remaining within the Commission’s delegated powers to set minimum requirements based on current training programmes across the majority of Member States.

❗ Blackout risks and systemic health impacts

In a PQ (E-002980/2026), the issue of blackout risks and their potential systemic impacts, including health threats, was addressed. In a response published on 17.09.2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Commission assesses these risks using EU disaster scenarios and the Risk-Preparedness Regulation. The response highlighted that the Regulation on serious cross-border health threats would apply if needed, and that tools such as rescEU and the Health Emergency Response proposal will serve to prepare and react to new crises.

❗ Illegal drug websites

In a PQ (E-002965/2026 from Malik Azmani, (Renew), Hilde Vautmans, (Renew), Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, (Renew), Sophie Wilmès, (Renew)), the reappearance of illegal drug websites via foreign domain names was highlighted as a challenge for cross-border enforcement. The MEPs questioned the sufficiency of the current framework for effective removal. In a response published on 17.09.2026, Commissioner Brunner stated that the EU rules on the fight against drug trafficking are being evaluated, with findings expected in 2026. The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires hosting providers to act expeditiously to remove illegal content, and national courts can order temporary bans of online platforms as a last resort.

❓ Counterfeit nicotine products

In a PQ (P-003608/2026 from Majbritt Birkholm, (PfE)), the growing risks of illicit trade and cross-border crime involving counterfeit nicotine products were raised. The question asks whether the Commission considers the current enforcement framework sufficient and if a harmonised EU framework for nicotine pouches will be introduced in the forthcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive to help national authorities distinguish compliant products from illicit ones. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Non-compliant tanning cosmetics and sunbeds

In a PQ (E-003032/2026), the safety and regulatory compliance of tanning cosmetics and sunbeds placed on the EU market were questioned. In a response published on 14.09.2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the ongoing revision of the Market Surveillance Regulation aims to address the influx of non-compliant products by enhancing the accountability of EU-based economic operators. Tanning cosmetics must comply with the Cosmetic Regulation, while sunbeds must meet the health and safety requirements of Directive 2014/35/EU, though the conditions for their use remain a matter for Member States.

❓ Protecting workers from extreme heatwaves

In a PQ (E-003456/2026 from Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and others, (S&D)), the increasing health and safety risks for workers exposed to extreme heatwaves due to climate change were emphasized. The inquiry questions whether the European framework law on adaptation to climate change will require adaptation plans at the sector level and if the Quality Jobs Act will impose binding measures concerning working conditions during extreme heatwaves. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Unauthorised GMOs in Brazilian poultry imports

In a PQ (P-003530/2026 from Martin Häusling, (Verts/ALE)), concerns were raised regarding the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance via genetically modified CRISPR-carrying plasmids in Brazilian poultry imports. The MEP asked whether the Commission considers living modified organisms carrying such plasmids an unauthorised release and sought guarantees that no such organisms were present on imported chicken before or after the recent import ban. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Health and environmental impacts of wind turbines

In a PQ (E-003524/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the potential adverse health and environmental effects of microplastic emissions from wind turbines were questioned. Citing previous Commission responses and EU-funded research, the MEP asked why the Commission has primarily studied microplastic emissions from offshore rather than onshore wind farms and why it has not further informed the public about the alleged massive microplastic pollution and health impacts caused by wind turbines. Responses from the Commission are pending.

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