EU ministers to discuss Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive, critical medicines, simplification of legislation and European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

The EU ministers will attend the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 and 2 December 2025. On both days, Finland will be represented by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso.

On 1 December, ministers responsible for employment and social policy will seek to agree its position on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). The revisions apply to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances in the workplace. The political agreement on the CMD is acceptable to Finland.

The Employment and Social Policy Council will also seek to agree its position on an amendment to the regulation on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The European Commission has proposed that aid from the Fund should also be available to workers at risk of dismissal, instead of only to workers who have already been dismissed. In addition, the use of the Fund would be streamlined.

The Employment and Social Policy Council would also add to the regulation a company-specific financial ceiling per Member State and per financial year. This aims at giving different Member States equal access to funding in situations of structural change. The political agreement within the Council is acceptable to Finland. Finland has made use of EGF funding in connection with major job losses in the ICT sector in particular.

In addition, the ministers will hold an exchange of views on simplification, implementation and enforcement of legislation in the employment and social fields. Finland considers it important that the European Commission has made simplifying regulation one of its priorities during its current term of office. Finland supports the objectives of the Commission. Efforts to promote better regulation require close cooperation between the EU institutions and the Member States. This work should focus in particular on reducing the administrative burden of small and medium-sized companies.

The ministers in charge of employment and social policy will also discuss the 2026 European Semester. At the same time, they will also hold a discussion on social inclusion and affordable housing. The Employment and Social Policy Council is expected to approve conclusions on the future European Affordable Housing Plan.

Health Council to debate Critical Medicines Act

On the second day of the meeting, the ministers responsible for health affairs will discuss the Council’s position on the Critical Medicines Act.

The proposal lays down provisions to improve the availability and security of supply of critical medicinal products and medicinal products of common interest. Finland can accept the proposal as the Council’s general approach.

In other matters, the Presidency will also update the Council on the status of trilogue negotiations concerning the comprehensive reform of EU medicines legislation.

Inquiries:

Sirkku Saarikoski, Ministerial Adviser (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive), Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 565 
Sanna Kuorikoski, Senior Specialist (European Semester), Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 770 
Kaisa Lähdepuro, Senior Specialist (Health Council), Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 419 
Nuutti Hyttinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 073 
Riikka-Maria Turkia, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 135 
Seija Jalkanen, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 952 (simplification of regulation) 
Johanna Slaney, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 017 (European Globalisation Adjustment Fund)

Email addresses are in the format [email protected].