Key data
| Regulation | Resolution (EU) 2026/1665 of the European Parliament |
|---|---|
| Publication | 10 September 2026 |
| Entry into force | 29 April 2026 |
| Affected parties | EU agencies, European institutions and private operators that interact with them |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Audited financial year | 2024 |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601665 |
If your company operates in sectors regulated by European agencies—pharmaceuticals, food, railway transport or cybersecurity—this resolution is not a bureaucratic formality to ignore. Resolution (EU) 2026/1665, approved on 29 April 2026 and published on 10 September 2026, closes the cycle of democratic control of European spending for the 2024 financial year and sets the foundation for how these agencies will operate in the coming months.
The observations of the European Parliament are not mere marginal notes: historically they have translated into internal changes that directly affect response times, procurement procedures and relationships with the private sector.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution contains the observations of the European Parliament on the process of approval of management (known in European terminology as «discharge»), the annual mechanism by which Parliament controls how EU agencies have spent their budget during the previous year.
The areas of observation that this resolution may address include:
- Public procurement: irregularities or inefficiencies in the agencies' tender processes.
- Human resources management: recruitment policy, remuneration and staff structure.
- Conflicts of interest: links between agency managers and private entities in the regulated sector.
- Transparency: public access to information on decisions and spending.
- Operational efficiency: achievement of objectives and efficient use of allocated resources.
The agencies directly relevant to Spanish private operators are:
| Agency | Regulated sector | Relevance for Spanish companies |
|---|---|---|
| AEMPS (Spanish Medicines Agency) / EMA | Health and medicines | Marketing authorizations, pharmacovigilance |
| EFSA | Food safety | Evaluation of additives, contaminants, novel foods |
| ERA | Railway transport | Vehicle authorizations, safety certificates |
| ENISA | Cybersecurity | Certification schemes, compliance guidelines |
Economic and operational impact
The direct economic impact on private companies is indirect but real. The recommendations of the European Parliament usually translate into internal procedural changes that affect three key areas:
- Processing timelines: If an agency receives criticism for slowness or inefficiency, it may be pressured to speed up its processes—or, conversely, to add additional controls that lengthen timelines.
- Calls for proposals and tenders: Observations on public procurement may modify the requirements and procedures of calls in which private companies participate as service providers to the agencies.
- Relations with private operators: Criticism of conflicts of interest may tighten the rules governing relations between agencies and private sector companies, affecting technical meetings, working groups and consultation processes.
For companies that depend on European authorizations or certifications, any change in the internal procedures of these agencies can mean additional weeks or months in their approval processes, with the consequent opportunity cost.
Who does it affect?
- Pharmaceutical laboratories and medical device companies that process authorizations before the EMA or national agencies coordinated at European level.
- Food industry that operates with EFSA evaluations for new ingredients, additives or nutritional claims.
- Railway operators and rolling stock manufacturers that need ERA certifications to operate on the European network.
- Technology companies and digital service providers that seek cybersecurity certifications under ENISA schemes.
- Service providers to European agencies that participate in public tenders called by these entities.
- Advisors, consultancies and law firms that accompany clients in regulatory processes before EU agencies.
Practical example
A Spanish food sector company that is processing authorization with the EFSA for a new functional ingredient to include in its products has been in the evaluation process for 18 months. If Resolution (EU) 2026/1665 includes critical observations on the operational efficiency of EFSA—pointing out, for example, systematic delays in its scientific evaluations—the agency may be pressured to review its internal procedures.
This review process can have two opposite effects: accelerating pending evaluations to demonstrate improvement, or slowing them down temporarily while implementing new controls. In any case, the company should be alert to EFSA communications about procedural changes in the coming months, as they may directly affect the launch timeline for its product.
What should companies do now?
- Identify which European agencies are relevant to your activity (EMA, EFSA, ERA, ENISA or others) and whether you have active processes before them.
- Consult the full text of the resolution to verify whether there are specific observations about the agencies you work with, as each agency may receive differentiated treatment.
- Monitor official communications from the affected agencies over the next 6-12 months: this is the usual timeframe for implementing procedural changes resulting from parliamentary observations.
- Review your processing schedules if you have active cases before any of these agencies, and incorporate a contingency margin for possible procedural changes.
- If you participate in tenders from European agencies, pay special attention to possible modifications in the terms and conditions resulting from observations on public procurement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the «discharge» or approval of management process for EU agencies?
It is the annual mechanism of democratic control by which the European Parliament reviews and approves—or rejects—how EU agencies have executed their budget during the previous financial year. In this case, Resolution (EU) 2026/1665 covers the 2024 financial year and may include observations on public procurement, human resources management, conflicts of interest, transparency and operational efficiency of each agency.
Does this resolution directly oblige Spanish companies to do anything?
It does not generate direct obligations for private companies. Its effect is indirect: the observations of the European Parliament usually translate into internal procedural changes in the affected agencies, which may modify timelines, calls for proposals and the conditions of relationships with private operators in sectors such as health, food, transport and cybersecurity.
Which European agencies may be affected by this resolution and what sectors do they regulate?
The most relevant agencies for Spanish companies are: EFSA (food safety), EMA/AEMPS (medicines and health), ERA (railway transport) and ENISA (cybersecurity). Parliamentary observations may affect their authorization, certification and public procurement procedures.
When does this resolution enter into force and when was it published?
Resolution (EU) 2026/1665 entered into force on 29 April 2026, the date of its approval by the European Parliament, and was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 10 September 2026.
How can I find out if the observations affect the agency my company works with?
You must consult the full text of the resolution in the Official Journal of the EU (reference OJ:L_202601665), where specific observations for each agency are detailed. Additionally, monitor official communications from the agencies relevant to your sector over the next 6-12 months, which is the usual timeframe for implementing procedural changes.
Official source
Consult full regulation at official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601665
