European Parliamentary Research Service

🔬 Ever seen what a yoghurt pot looks like up close? It is typically made of polystyrene, decorated with printed inks and sealed with a coated aluminium lid attached using adhesives. These are food contact materials and chemicals: they come into contact with food during production, processing, packaging or storage. A 2025 systematic review found that many of the individual chemical components of such materials have the potential to migrate. The problem? Such migration may represent a potential food safety concern because substances – whether intentionally added or unintentionally present – may pose health risks if they transfer into food at unsafe levels. On World Food Safety Day, let's look at the state of play of food contact materials in the EU: 📃 What is the legislative framework on food contact materials? 🔎 How does the European Parliament contribute to the EU legislation on food contact materials? Read our briefing to find out: https://lnkd.in/e3rZcgR2

Why is Ukraine's reconstruction a pillar of European security? That was the key question at the heart of this week's hybrid EPRS policy roundtable co-organised with the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Speakers explored the multifaceted challenges of Ukraine’s reconstruction, including: 🔹 the strategic links between national recovery and European security, 🔹 the financing mechanisms for a sustainable long-term reconstruction of Ukraine, 🔹 the crucial role of the rule of law and parliamentary oversight in ensuring Ukraine's reconstruction process. The roundtable aimed to deepen further the exchange of expertise between EPRS and the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada. 🔎 Interested in the latest on EU support to Ukraine? 📝 Read our briefing: https://lnkd.in/eEm89RMg

What is the state of play of the EU's support to Ukraine? The EU and its Member States together as 'Team Europe' have mobilised around €200 billion in financial, military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale war of aggression in 2022. But how does this compare to US support and globally? Our latest briefing provides: 📊 A comparative overview of the EU's support to Ukraine, based on figures from the European Commission and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy 🔎 An analysis of Ukraine's reform steps 🔭 An outlook on the financing for Ukraine in the next EU long-term budget Read the full briefing for details ↓ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eEm89RMg 

Semiconductors (also known as chips) are a cornerstone of industrial policy, essential for the EU's competitiveness, security, and technological sovereignty. The 2023 Chips Act sought to bolster the EU's semiconductor industry but has faced significant criticism over its impact. The upcoming EU chips act 2.0, planned as part of the 'tech sovereignty package', will aim to strengthen Europe's resilience and technological sovereignty in semiconductors. 🔎 What to expect from the chips act 2.0? ✔️ address the EU's manufacturing gaps for advanced semiconductor nodes and for other chip markets where the EU holds a competitive advantage, ✔️ improve the monitoring of semiconductor markets, ✔️ simplify the regulatory framework. 📝 Make sure to read our briefing on the upcoming chips act 2.0 ⏩ https://lnkd.in/ebzVk2K3 

EU enlargement is a key driver for: - long-term stability - security - economic development This is what the European Parliament highlights as a strong advocate of enlargement. With ongoing geopolitical shifts and the destabilising effects of the war in Ukraine, enlargement has become an even greater priority for the EU and its Member States. 🔎 Our latest briefing examines economic, budgetary, trade and digital developments in nine aspiring countries. It also looks at how EU policies are shaping these trends. 📊 Based on a review of data and studies, here are some of the key findings ↓ 🔹 While economic output per person has increased in enlargement countries, convergence with the EU remains limited. 🔹 The EU remains the main trade partner for enlargement countries and has benefited from these trade ties. 🔹 Significant gaps remain in regulatory frameworks and innovation capacity, posing challenges for the adoption of artificial intelligence. Curious to learn more about EU enlargement? Stay tuned! 📚 This briefing is the first in a series exploring different dimensions of EU enlargement, from economic developments to peace and security. Save our briefing ↓  https://lnkd.in/ewamwY7s 

📈 The European economy grew by 1.4% in the final quarter of 2025 - but what's next? With the conflict in the Middle East and the rapid shifts in market data, the economic outlook is now exceptionally uncertain. In its latest projections, the European Central Bank uses scenario analysis to assess potential risks. What does their forecast reveal for the years ahead? Our Economic Outlook Quarterly breaks down growth trends. ⏯️ Watch ↓  📊 Dive deeper: https://lnkd.in/ehwtg7mt

🤖 AI companions are becoming new social players, often taking on the role of human companions. They provide support and guidance to users across various aspects of daily life, from social life to mental well-being, with highly personalised optimisations for different users. While they share some risks with generic AI chatbots, AI companions also raise unique challenges. 📈 They are especially popular among the young, with over 70% of global users aged 18-35. Children also increasingly use them, but reports show exposure to sexualised conversations and prompts related to self-harm or suicide, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards. To date, few countries have put forward specific legislation for this. 📌 At EU level, there is currently no specific laws for AI companions. However, as AI-driven chatbots processing personal data, they may fall under certain legislative frameworks like the AI Act, the Digital Services Act and the GDPR. 📝 Our briefing examines: - the spread of AI companions - the key challenges they pose - the EU's existing regulatory frameworks - potential next steps 🔎 Read the full analysis ↓ https://lnkd.in/eaHC54ej

⏰ Last call for Schuman Traineeship applications! Apply to an EPRS paid traineeship position until 31 May (October-February traineeship). You’ll need: 🎓 a university degree ✅ to be over 18 years old Who we are EPRS provides comprehensive research and analytical support to Members of the European Parliament, parliamentary committees and Parliament as a whole. Why choose a traineeship with us? At EPRS you will gain detailed knowledge of the European Parliament's workings while honing your skills in your specific topic of interest. More information ↓ https://lnkd.in/grx569E #SchumanTraineeship #EPRS

What is the state of play of EU-Mexico trade and investment relations? Four key insights ↓ 📌 EU-Mexico trade in both goods and services kept growing in 2025 and reached an all-time high of €86.8 billion in goods and €29.7 billion in services. 📌 Rising EU imports of goods from Mexico compensated for a slight decrease in exports. This reversed the trend of a growing trade surplus, which still amounts to €19.1 billion in favour of the EU. 📌 Mexico ranks as the EU's 11th most important trade partner (share of 1.7% of total EU trade with the world). 📌 The EU ranks 3rd on the list of Mexico's main trade partners (share of 6.7%, slightly lower than in 2024). 📥 Download our latest infographic for more insights: https://lnkd.in/d-Ca95Dw