Council of the EU
Involvement in the activities of EU Council working groups
The Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing (ÚNMZ) provides, in accordance with Government Resolution No. 427/2003 on Institutional Assurance of the Czech Republic's Membership in the EU and Coordination of the Decision-Making Process (as amended - last amended by Government Resolution No. 571/2007 on amendments to certain government resolutions in connection with the Czech Republic's EU membership) the activity of the G7 Working Group of the EU Council for Technical Harmonisation (G7 WG) within the Sectoral Coordination Group of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT).
PS G7 is composed of several working subgroups, The composition of these bodies varies according to the priorities of the individual EU Council presidencies and the state of play of the legislative proposal under discussion.
The agenda discussed within the working subgroups of the G7 WG, i.e. legislative and non-legislative proposals and acts under delegated competence, falls not only under the direct responsibility of the CNMI, but also partly under the responsibility of other government departments and bodies (MIT, MoD, MoH, MoHe, MoE, MŽP, CTU, ČBÚ...). In these cases, the CNMI acts as a coordinator in the preparation of documents for the meeting within the framework of the established cooperation mechanism.
No legislative proposals are currently being discussed within the G7 Working Party. The European Commission plans to publish the European Product Act legislative package in September 2026, with discussions on it due to begin in the G7 Working Party in October 2026.
Furthermore, the G7 Working Party is discussing draft Council decisions on the positions to be adopted on behalf of the Union at World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations ECE/UN (WP.29).
Depending on the topics currently under discussion, the National Institute of Public Health also contributes, within the scope of its remit, to the preparation of background documents for meetings of other preparatory bodies of the Council of the EU, such as:
- The PSLZP for medical devices, which is currently discussing a targeted review of the MDR and IVDR
- PS A14a on simplification
- PS J1 on Environment
- PS G1 on Competitiveness and Growth
The current status of agenda items under the responsibility or joint responsibility of the National Institute of Public Health (ÚNMZ) being discussed by the Council’s working bodies is available for inspection here.
From 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU (IE PRES), which appear under „Partnership, security and prosperity“ (Partnership, Security and Prosperity) will focus on the following priorities: “
- A Competitive Europe
Strengthening the EU’s competitiveness will be one of the main priorities of the Irish Presidency through the implementation of the plan One Europe, One Market (One Europe, One Market Roadmap). The aim is to further develop the single market, support innovation and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, whilst simplifying the regulatory environment. Modernising Europe’s infrastructure is also part of this agenda. The IE PRES will focus on developing transport and digital networks, strengthening cyber security and investing in telecommunications infrastructure. In the economic sphere, the priorities will be to develop the Union’s savings and investment base, introduce the digital euro and support affordable housing through the European Affordable Housing Plan.
Key legislative priorities: the European Product Act, the Industry Acceleration Act, the Chips Act 2.0 and the Public Procurement Act; strategic trade partnerships (Asia, Africa, the US); the European Network Package, the review of emissions trading schemes (ETS/CBAM), the Circular Economy Act and the 2040 targets; digital networks reform, the development of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the digital wallet and cyber certification; the Horizon Europe programme, the European Innovation Act, skills support for the AI era and fair labour mobility; the biotechnology package, the stability of the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Space Act and the decarbonisation of transport.
- Europe of Values and Partnerships
The IE PRES will focus on safeguarding the EU’s fundamental values and the rule of law, democratic resilience and the protection of fundamental rights in both Member States and candidate countries. Priority will be given to combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, protecting minorities and strengthening children’s rights, including their participation in decision-making. Education and lifelong learning will also play an important role as a means of promoting EU values, developing skills for the digital transformation, ensuring children’s safety in the online environment, food safety, health protection and support for a sustainable economy.
To implement these priorities, the Presidency will make use of the following instruments: the rule of law and democracy (Council dialogue, governance under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, safeguarding values in the multiannual financial framework, the European Shield for Democracy and Civil Society Strategy initiatives, strengthening the capacity of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, and work within the Ethics Body), enlargement of the European Union (conclusion of negotiations with Montenegro and progress with Albania, Moldova and Ukraine), education (the Erasmus+ and AgoraEU Regulations) and social policy (commitments to reducing poverty, strengthening the European Child Guarantee and finalising the legal framework on equality).
- A Safe Europe
The IE PRES will promote peace and stability in the Middle East (humanitarian aid in Gaza, the two-state solution, the situation in the West Bank, the Persian Gulf, Lebanon and Syria). European security will be further strengthened through the development of defence capabilities, the Common Security and Defence Policy, cyber and maritime security, and resilience to hybrid threats. The IE PRES will also ensure a fair and rules-based approach to migration, asylum and the return of persons.
Within the framework of these priorities, the Presidency will focus on: Support for Ukraine and external relations (continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, including sanctions against Russia, and a focus on multilateralism and the international legal order), defence policy (implementation of the White Paper and the Defence Readiness Roadmap, work on the new European Security Strategy, revision of the Defence Procurement Directive, the Regulation on military mobility, and the action plan on cable security and protection against the Russian shadow fleet), migration and internal security (the effective implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the establishment of the Solidarity Reserve for 2027, the digitisation of returns, the Visa Policy Strategy, the exit strategy for temporary protection, and the fight against cross-border organised crime and drug trafficking) and crisis resilience and civil protection (implementation of the Union’s Preparedness Strategy, completion of the risk and threat assessment, transposition of the Directive on the resilience of critical entities, proposal for a critical communications system, action plan for drone safety, the Civil Protection Mechanism Regulation and the Integrated Resolve 26 exercise).
The Irish Presidency’s website
Programme of the Irish Presidency
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact us at radaeu@unmz.gov.cz.