Key data
| Regulation | Council Decision (EU) 2026/1172, of 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 29 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 24 February 2026 |
| Affected parties | Coffee importers, roasters and marketers in the EU |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Agreement it replaces | International Coffee Agreement 2007 (extended until February 2028) |
| International organization | International Coffee Organization (ICO) |
| EU competence | Exclusive, under common commercial policy (Member States do not ratify individually) |
Coffee importers, roasters and distributors in the EU face a change in the international regulatory framework. The Council Decision (EU) 2026/1172, of 24 February 2026, authorizes the European Union to sign the International Coffee Agreement 2022, approved by the International Coffee Council in June 2022. This agreement will replace the one in force since 2007, currently extended until February 2028.
The EU acts here with exclusive competence under its common commercial policy, which means that no Member State — neither Spain, nor Germany, nor France — will ratify the agreement individually. It is Brussels that speaks with a single voice before the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
What does this regulation establish?
The new International Coffee Agreement 2022 introduces three structural changes compared to the 2007 agreement that is still in force:
| Aspect | 2007 Agreement (in force until Feb. 2028) | 2022 Agreement (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Voting system in the ICO | Unmodernized previous system | Modernized voting system |
| Economic contributions | Previous contribution structure | New structure of economic contributions |
| Participation in the ICO | Member States only | Integration of private sector and civil society |
| Ratification by EU States | Individual process by Member State | Exclusive EU competence — no individual ratification |
The agreement was approved within the International Coffee Council in June 2022. The EU's decision to sign was adopted on 24 February 2026 and published in the EU Official Journal on 29 May 2026.
The incorporation of the private sector and civil society into the ICO is a relevant novelty: for the first time, companies in the sector — importers, roasters, traders — will be able to have a voice in the body that regulates global coffee standards and trade.
Economic and operational impact
This agreement does not establish tariffs or direct fees on companies. Its impact is structural and regulatory: it defines the rules of the game for international coffee trade for the coming years. The most relevant operational consequences are:
- New market standards: The agreement may result in changes to the quality, traceability and sustainability standards that the ICO promotes globally, affecting import and marketing requirements in the EU.
- Change in economic contributions to the ICO: The new structure of economic contributions may modify the quotas that Member States — and by extension, the EU — contribute to the organization, although the exact detail of the amounts is not included in the signing decision.
- Greater influence of the private sector: The integration of the private sector into the ICO opens the door for associations of European importers and roasters to participate in defining global coffee market policies.
- Regulatory transition: Until the 2022 agreement enters into full force, the 2007 agreement continues to apply, extended until February 2028. Companies have time to adapt.
Who does it affect?
- Green and processed coffee importers operating from producing countries to the EU.
- Industrial and artisanal roasters that buy coffee at origin or through international traders.
- Distributors and marketers of coffee in European markets.
- Coffee traders and brokers that intermediate in international trade operations.
- Coffee sector associations in the EU, which can now have direct representation in the ICO.
- Purchasing and procurement departments of large food chains and hospitality businesses that import coffee directly.
Practical example
A medium-sized Spanish roaster that imports green coffee from Colombia and Ethiopia currently operates under the rules of the International Coffee Agreement 2007. With the signing of the new 2022 agreement, this roaster should anticipate that:
- The international coffee trade rules managed by the ICO will be updated with the new voting system and contributions, which may translate into changes in the quality or traceability standards required at origin.
- Through its sector association, it could for the first time participate — directly or indirectly — in ICO forums where decisions are made about the global coffee market, something that the 2007 agreement did not allow the private sector.
- Until February 2028, the 2007 agreement remains in force, so there are no immediate operational changes. The transition period allows for reviewing supply contracts and anticipating possible adjustments in import requirements.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if your company imports, roasts or distributes coffee in the EU: if so, this agreement affects the regulatory framework under which you operate in the medium term.
- Review long-term supply contracts with suppliers from producing countries, especially those that include clauses linked to ICO standards or international coffee regulations.
- Contact your sector association (importers, roasters) to learn how private sector participation in the ICO will be structured under the new agreement.
- Monitor the formal ratification process of the 2022 agreement: signing is the first step, but the agreement will enter into full force when the process is completed. The 2007 agreement remains in force until February 2028.
- Anticipate possible changes in quality and traceability standards that the ICO may promote under the new framework, especially in terms of sustainability and coffee origin.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new International Coffee Agreement 2022 enter into force for European companies?
The EU's signing decision dates from 24 February 2026 and was published on 29 May 2026. However, the 2007 agreement remains extended until February 2028. The new 2022 agreement will enter into full force when the formal ratification process is completed, so companies have time to adapt until that date.
What exactly changes in the International Coffee Organization (ICO) with the new agreement?
The new agreement modernizes two key elements: the voting system and the structure of economic contributions to the ICO. In addition, it integrates the private sector and civil society into the functioning of the organization for the first time, something that the 2007 agreement did not contemplate.
Do EU countries have to ratify the agreement individually?
No. The EU has declared exclusive competence over the matters of the agreement under its common commercial policy. This means that the Union acts as a single bloc and Member States — including Spain — will not ratify the agreement individually.
What agreement does the 2022 agreement replace and until when is the previous one in force?
The International Coffee Agreement 2022 will replace the 2007 agreement, which is currently extended and will remain in force until February 2028. During this transition period, current rules continue to apply.
Can importing or roasting companies now participate in the ICO?
Yes. One of the main innovations of the 2022 agreement is the integration of the private sector and civil society into the functioning of the ICO. This opens the door for importers, roasters and their associations to have representation and voice in the international body that regulates the global coffee market.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in 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_202601172