Policy
EU Council adopts revised rules on workplace hazardous substance exposure
The Council of the EU has adopted the sixth revision of the CMRD directive, setting new exposure limits for four substances and adding welding fumes to Annex I.
European Union
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The Council of the EU adopted the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive, setting occupational exposure limits for cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1,4-dioxane and isoprene, and adding welding fumes to Annex I. The rules take effect on Official Journal publication, with member states given two years to transpose them.
EU Council adopts revised rules on workplace hazardous substance exposure ↗
Policy
EU Council adopts recommendation on homelessness and housing exclusion
The Council of the EU adopted a non-binding recommendation urging member states to strengthen homelessness strategies, early warning and affordable housing supply.
Diplomacy
EU Sets Five Climate Priorities Ahead of COP31
The EU has outlined five priorities for COP31, including upholding science, implementing the Global Stocktake, and advancing the clean energy transition, at a UN General Assembly event.
Diplomacy
EU Calls for Full Reopening of Strait of Hormuz Without Tolls
EU ambassador Lambrinidis tells UN Security Council any Hormuz arrangement must fully reopen the strait without tolls, service fees or discrimination, citing UNCLOS.
Diplomacy
EU Afghanistan envoy raises women's rights and security in Kabul talks
EU Special Envoy Thomas Frellesen visited Kabul on 12–14 October 2026, raising women's restrictions, terrorism, narcotics and regional stability with the de facto authorities.
Governance
EU ministers open democratic resilience centre to enlargement partners
EU ministers endorsed associating eight enlargement partners with the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, opening selected projects to their participation.
Diplomacy
EU Backs UNODC Mandate, Cites Synthetic Drugs and Online Child Abuse Risks
EU statement to UN General Assembly Third Committee reaffirms support for UNODC, flags synthetic drugs, organised fraud and online child exploitation, and asks about women who use drugs.
Diplomacy
EU Tells UN Africa Partnership Remains Core to Development Goals
EU statement at UN General Assembly cites Luanda summit, Global Gateway funding and peacebuilding cooperation as pillars of its renewed partnership with Africa.
Diplomacy
EU Backs UNHCR Restructuring, Pledges USD 1.2 Billion for 2025
EU and member states reaffirm support for UNHCR's protection mandate amid restructuring, citing USD 1.2 billion allocated in 2025 and urging stronger internal controls.
Diplomacy
EU urges Human Rights Council to defend Vienna Declaration principles
At the UN Human Rights Council's 63rd session, the EU warned that human rights norms are being questioned and called for accountability and civic space protections.