EU Ministers agree negotiating position on Biotech Act I directive

In the Council of the European Union, EU Ministers have agreed on a negotiating position on the draft European Biotech Act I directive, which would update the rules on genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) and the processing of organs. Once the European Parliament has established its position, the two institutions will enter into negotiations on the final text.

The proposed directive accompanies the European Biotech Act I regulation, which "seeks to strengthen Europe’s biotechnology potential by making it quicker and easier for innovative ideas to move from the laboratory to the market". 

On the 26 May 2026, the European Commission also published the analysis underpinning the Biotech Act proposals. On the 27 May 2026, the Commission extended the feedback period for the Biotech Act until 22 July 2026, due to translation delays or harmonisation across EU languages.