Health Data Space, Biotech Regulation & PFAS Restrictions

❗ Implementation and security of the European Health Data Space

In a series of PQs (E-002065/26 from Piotr Müller (ECR), E-003022/2026 from Stanisław Tyszka (ESN)), MEPs queried the impact of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) on the competitiveness of SMEs, national healthcare system costs, and the security of health data against third-country entities, alongside patient opt-out mechanisms. In a response published on 28 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the EHDS Regulation harmonises rules and introduces self-certification to reduce costs for SMEs, while third-country access will be governed by reciprocal access mechanisms and GDPR requirements. Responses from the Commission regarding the specific implementation costs for Poland and patient opt-out mechanisms are pending.

❓ Impact of the EU Biotech Act on competitiveness and healthcare

In a series of PQs (E-002878/2026 from Stanisław Tyszka (ESN)), concerns were raised regarding the potential implications of the European Biotech Act on competition, public expenditure, and the geographical distribution of investments. The inquiry questioned the absence of a standard impact assessment alongside the proposal and sought measures to prevent the concentration of strategic projects in wealthier Member States. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Advertising of banned medicinal products on large online platforms

In a series of PQs (E-002337/26 from Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Leire Pajín (S&D), Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D)), MEPs addressed the continued promotion of illegal medicinal products on platforms such as Facebook, Google, and TikTok, questioning whether this indicates shortcomings in Digital Services Act (DSA) risk mitigation measures. In a response published on 31 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that the DSA requires online platforms to expediently remove illegal content and assess systemic risks to public health, noting that the Commission has already taken enforcement actions, including binding commitment decisions and fines against several major platforms for advertising and transparency failures.

❗ EU dependency on vitamin imports from China

In a series of PQs (E-002428/26 from Stefan Köhler (PPE), Herbert Dorfmann (PPE), Norbert Lins (PPE), Alexander Bernhuber (PPE), Andreas Schwab (PPE)), MEPs highlighted the EU’s heavy reliance on vitamin imports from China and the risk of irreversible loss of European production capacity due to market distortions. In a response published on 29 July 2026, Commissioner Šefčovič stated that while import dependencies for feed additives like vitamins are highly concentrated, they have not yet caused availability disruptions, adding that the EU is addressing these vulnerabilities through the European Economic Security Strategy, risk monitoring, and potential support via the future European Competitiveness Fund.

❓ Maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals

In a series of PQs (P-003151/2026 from Ciaran Mullooly (Renew)), questions were raised regarding the Commission’s ongoing consideration of maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under Directive 2002/46/EC. The MEP asked whether all scientific evidence and stakeholder submissions, particularly concerning varying national dietary patterns, will be fully evaluated and published before finalising any proposals. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Conformity checks for the Tobacco Products Directive

In a series of PQs (E-001743/26 from Pietro Fiocchi (ECR)), clarification was sought on the status and findings of the conformity checks of national transposition measures for Directive 2014/40/EU, noting their absence from the 2026 evaluation report. In a response published on 28 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the internal assessment of transposition measures is ongoing and involves bilateral exchanges with Member States, confirming that the findings informed the evidence base for the evaluation process.

❗ Media coverage of suicides and protection of minors

In a series of PQs (E-002181/26 from Nikos Pappas (The Left)), concerns were raised about sensationalist media coverage of suicides and its compatibility with EU frameworks protecting minors from copycat behaviour. In a response published on 30 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the Digital Services Act oblige platforms to protect minors, while the European Media Freedom Act promotes self-regulation for ethical media coverage, adding that the Commission will further assess these rules during the AVMSD review in 2026.

❗ Implementation of the Healthy Meal Standard

In a series of PQs (E-002230/26 from Biljana Borzan (S&D)), the potential of the Healthy Meal Standard (HMS) as a governance-based operational tool for institutional nutrition was highlighted. In a response published on 28 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that nutrition policies remain a Member State competence, but voluntary initiatives like the HMS can complement regulatory efforts, noting that the Commission supports the sharing of such best practices through the EU Best Practice Portal on Public Health.

❓ Unregulated sunbed use and illegal tanning medication

In a series of PQs (E-003032/2026 from Kathleen Funchion (The Left)), attention was drawn to the rising cases of skin cancer in Ireland linked to unregulated sunbeds and illegal tanning medications like Melanotan. The MEP inquired about Commission measures to tackle the influx of illegal tanning products and ensure the safe use of legal alternatives. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ EU response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa

In a series of PQs (E-002084/26 from Leire Pajín (S&D)), the Commission was asked about its immediate humanitarian and technical support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda following the WHO-declared public health emergency regarding the Ebola outbreak. In a response published on 28 July 2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the EU has mobilised EUR 493 million€493MCited figure in emergency aid, deployed the EU Health Task Force, and facilitated the transport of medical countermeasures, while supporting research into candidate vaccines through Horizon Europe and Gavi’s First Response Fund.

❗ Impact of PFAS restrictions on the food processing industry

In a series of PQs (E-002369/26), concerns were raised regarding the potential impacts of the proposed restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the REACH Regulation. In a response published on 31 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the European Chemicals Agency is assessing the restriction proposal and expects to deliver final opinions by the end of 2026, noting that critical industrial applications may be allowed to continue using PFAS if adequate alternatives are unavailable, provided emissions are reduced.

❓ Prohibited materials in drinking water infrastructure

In a series of PQs (E-003102/2026 from Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE)), the Commission was alerted to audit findings in Xàtiva, Spain, where fibre-cement pipes and lead have been detected in the drinking water supply, alongside a failure to conduct self-monitoring. The inquiry questioned whether this constitutes a breach of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and how the Commission intends to enforce compliance. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Tripartite governance at EU-OSHA

In a series of PQs (E-002450/26 from Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)), the Commission was questioned on alleged pressures to revise the hybrid meeting model of the EU-OSHA Management Board, which could weaken tripartite dialogue. In a response published on 24 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that a 2024 evaluation invited EU-OSHA to optimise its governance, but the Management Board concluded in June 2026 that current arrangements are efficient and will continue meeting twice a year.

❓ European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work

In a series of PQs (E-003042/2026 from Anthony Smith (The Left)), the Commission was urged to act on a European Parliament resolution calling for the official designation of 8 August as a remembrance day for victims of occupational accidents. The MEP asked about the timeframe and arrangements for establishing this date or alternatively dedicating 28 April to the cause. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Dismissals at the Greek National Public Health Organisation

In a series of PQs (E-002918/2026 from Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)), the termination of around 70 employees following the end of EU Recovery and Resilience Fund subprojects was highlighted as a symptom of temporary healthcare funding. The inquiry asked for the Commission’s stance on the need for permanent staff hiring across healthcare facilities instead of relying on fixed-term contracts. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Fiscal framework and health-sector resilience

In a series of PQs (E-002342/26), questions were raised regarding fiscal flexibility for health investments. In a response published on 31 July 2026, Commissioner Dombrovskis stated that the reformed Stability and Growth Pact accommodates spending on common EU priorities, allowing Member States to include health-sector preparedness investments in their medium-term fiscal-structural plans to underpin a more gradual fiscal adjustment over up to seven years.

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