The CECE Technical Commission (TC) and its active Project Teams (PTs) convened for the last quarterly "Technical Week" meetings of the year, held from the 2nd to 4th December.
The December Technical Week was initiated with the PT3R meeting in which members were first introduced to the Mapping of CECE Dossiers, comprised of the CECE files under each PT. The Dossier was subsequentially presented at the beginning of every PT to provide an overview of CECE’s work on each file. The meeting followed up with the relevant updates on the revised F‑Gas Regulation confirmed as complete, with all secondary legislation adopted. In parallel, the implementation of the Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation advanced on several fronts. The group was informed of the current Omnibus IV state of play and the changes to the regulation currently under consideration. CECE also informed on its participation in the next Commission’s Waste Expert Group (Battery Regulation) meeting on 11 December to consider further derogations under Article 11 on removability and replaceability of portable batteries. In continuation, the biggest point of conversation of the meeting concerned chemicals, first with the negative opinion on the REACH impact assessment by Regulatory Scrutiny Board, and secondly with the PFAS Restriction Proposal. The CECE Secretariat confirmed its participation in the upcoming SEAC meetings in December (Horizontal issues). The meeting concluded by touching upon the recent developments related to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and an update on two new restriction proposals (MCCP and LC-PFCA) proposed under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation.
PT Road Circulation took place on Tuesday’s afternoon session. Starting of with a presentation of the NRMM state of play and the communication to members of CECE’s intention to join the Commission Expert Group on Agricultural Tractors and Mobile Machinery (WGATM). The newly created WGATM stems from the long-standing WGAT, whose scope was expanded following Regulation (EU) 2025/141 to include NRMM circulating on public roads. The core of the PTR meeting focused on the ITF related activities. The chairman provided a comprehensive overview of the ongoing work within the ITF aimed at proposing suggestions to the European Commission for the upcoming Delegated and Implementing Acts linked to the NRMM Regulation, which are expected by 29 January 2027 and 29 July 2027 respectively. A discussion was also held regarding CECE’s next steps as the ITF Leading Secretariat for the six-month period from March to August 2026.
Wednesday started off with PT Data. Following a presentation on the framework of the EU Digital Package published on 19 November, which includes the Digital Omnibus(es) on data, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), members reviewed the targeted amendments proposed for the existing legislation (Data Act, GDPR, AI Act). Experts agreed to give a response on the common Digital Fitness Check consultation to evaluate the effectiveness of the EU’s digital rulebook. Regarding the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the discussion centered around the Commission’s draft guidance package, which first deliverable, namely Commission’s FAQ document, was published last week.
The PT Machinery meeting focused on several high-priority regulatory and standardisation topics. Members revisited the Machinery Regulation Guide to Application, viewing the progress achieved in the different Orgalim Project Teams and subgroups. Discussions on substantial modification, vibrations, seating, and self-evolving behaviour remained central. The group also discussed the different points that the CECE secretariat raised during the Machinery Expert Group (MEG) meeting, including the proposal to postpone the cyber provisions (1.1.9 and 1.2.1) to ensure alignment with the CRA, and the need to urge the European Commission to identify and invest in research into technical solutions for detecting contact with overhead power lines, given the current lack of viable options and the imminent applicability of this requirement. On the CECE position paper on the Impact of Revised Standardisation Procedures, CECE shared feedback from its meeting the 2nd of December with the EC and confirmed next steps for engagement. Finally, members reviewed the implications of Omnibus IV on mandatory electronic Declarations of Conformity, agreeing on the importance of advocating for at least a 24-month postponement. Updates were also provided on related files, including the two ongoing public consultations on the Market Surveillance Regulation and Standardisation Regulation; Pressure Equipment Directive; and the Radio Equipment Guide.
The Technical Week came to a close with the Technical Commission (TC). The Mapping of CECE Dossier started off the meeting serving as basis to provide an overview of all the work completed during 2025, as well as to highlight the files that are to be prioritised for the following months. TC members were reported on the Brexit update by Dale Camsell (CEA), including the UK Government’s consultation on Machinery safety legislation, on the changes to the noise regulation with new law (SI 2025 Number 1073) as well as on updates regarding common specifications. A key topic of discussion during the meeting was the work and next steps on the New Legislative Framework (NLF) revision, including a review of the Commission’s public consultation questionnaire. The group also welcomed Julio Mateos Basco, Adviser for Environment at Orgalim, who provided a timely presentation of where the REACH revision stands, the key policy milestones ahead and what these developments mean for Europe’s industries. The December TC quarterly meeting concluded with the latest updates on the state of play of the EUDR.
The next Technical Week will take place in Brussels from 23rd to 26th March 2026.
