CECE High-Level Group discusses industrial policy, decarbonisation and regulatory developments

The meeting opened with an update on CECE activities, including preparations for the upcoming CECE Congress in London and its Technical Forum. Members also confirmed the nomination of the HLTPAG Chairman (Eugen Schobesberger, Liebherr) and Vice-Chairman (Stefan Forkert, Bomag), ensuring continuity in the group’s work.

EU industrial policy and CBAM in focus
A key part of the agenda focused on EU industrial policy developments. Lorenzo Livraghi, Manager - Trade and Industrial Policy at Orgalim, presented the Industrial Accelerator Act, outlining its current status and potential implications for industry competitiveness and investment conditions.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was also discussed, with participants sharing feedback on the current state of play and its expected impact on global competitiveness as implementation progresses.

Decarbonisation and sustainability priorities
Members reviewed progress on the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculator following its test phase and discussed next steps for its further development. The group also exchanged views on electrification trends at both EU and national level, highlighting ongoing initiatives and the need for enabling frameworks.

A forward-looking discussion also took place on the likelihood of new EU regulatory initiatives before 2030, underlining the importance of regulatory clarity for long-term planning and investment.

Regulatory developments and outlook
The meeting concluded with a regulatory overview covering key implementation timelines for major EU legislation and ongoing omnibus simplification initiatives. CECE’s advocacy work to ensure alignment between the Machinery Regulation and the Cyber Resilience Act was also highlighted as a priority to avoid regulatory overlaps and ensure coherence.

Looking ahead
The HLTPAG meeting once again underlined the importance of continued dialogue in shaping a competitive and sustainable regulatory framework. The next meeting will continue to build on these discussions and track ongoing policy developments.