The European Commission has published its 2026 Work Programme, titled “Europe’s Independence Moment.” This annual programme provides an overview of new policy proposals and initiatives that the Commission plans to develop in the coming year. It is therefore an important indicator of the themes that will be high on the agenda in Brussels.
The programme places emphasis on simplification, enforcement, and implementation of existing legislation. The Commission is working on so-called omnibus packages – legislative bundles that amend multiple directives or regulations within a single theme, for example to reduce administrative burdens or align existing legislation. An environmental omnibus is expected later this year. After such a proposal, the European Parliament and the Council debate this in order to compromise on a final text. Vewin calls for attention to the protection of drinking water sources: while coherence between laws and regulations is important, it must not come at the expense of the objectives of this legislation.
Water Resilience Strategy
The Water Resilience Strategy (WRS) is included in the work programme. On 21 October, the European Council adopted its conclusions on the WRS. Member States support an integrated European approach to water management to address water scarcity, pollution, and climate impacts. Their response emphasises restoration of the water cycle, source-based measures against pollutants such as PFAS, and robust water infrastructure. It also underlines the importance of strengthening cross-border cooperation and recognising the interdependence between upstream and downstream countries.
Vewin endorses these conclusions and welcomes the stronger focus by Member States on the need for an ambitious source-oriented approach, going beyond what the Commission proposed. In December, the Commission will organise the first Water Resilience Forum to discuss implementation of the strategy.
REACH
What is missing from the Commission’s 2026 Work Programme is the REACH revision. Originally, a proposal for the revision of the REACH Regulation was expected by the end of 2025, but the Commission has not yet set a date for it. Vewin calls for REACH to be revised as soon as possible. Such a revision offers an important opportunity to better protect drinking water sources and water quality, and to prevent problems with substances such as PFAS at source.
Vewin advocates, among other things, for a group-based assessment of chemical substances, to prevent one harmful substance from being replaced by a similar one — as happened with thousands of PFAS variants.
Meanwhile, the restriction process for PFAS is continuing. The European Commission is awaiting completion of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opinion, after which proposals for restrictions will follow. Vewin urges for swift and comprehensive implementation of the restriction proposal.
Read Vewin’s position on the Water Resilience Strategy
Read the position of Vewin and the Dutch Water Authorities on REACH