(AGENPARL) – Thu 22 January 2026 Newsletter
Weeks V – VI 2026: 26th January – 6th February 2026
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Press Officer
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Week V: 26th to 30th January
Tuesday 27th January
Judgment in Case C-271/23 Commission v Hungary (Reclassification of cannabis)
(Law governing the institutions)
In November 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision on the
common position to be taken by Member States on behalf of the Union at the
upcoming session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The purpose
of this common position was to amend the classification of cannabis and related
substances in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, in order to take account of the
Nadia Carmela
therapeutic value to progress. During a vote on an amendment to the United Nations
Di Proietto
assisted in the
preparation of this
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on X (formerly
World Health Organisation’s recommendation to allow scientific knowledge on its
Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the representative of
Hungary not only voted in violation of the common position adopted by the Council,
but also made a statement contradicting that common position.
In response to this situation, the European Commission brought infringement
proceedings against Hungary. According to the Commission, Hungary has violated the
EU’s exclusive external competence and the principle of sincere cooperation.
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Background Documents C-271/23
There will be a press release for this case.
Thursday 29th January
Judgment in Case C-811/23 P Commission v Zippo Manufacturing and Others
(Commercial policy)
In January 2020, the United States increased the custom duties on imports of certain
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Communications Directorate
Press and Information Unit
aluminium and steel products. The Commission considered that the objective of that
curia.europa.eu
Newsletter
Weeks III – IV 2026: 12th – 23rd January 2026
(CET) unless
measure was to protect domestic industry against foreign competition. In response, it
otherwise stated.
imposed from May 8, 2020 (until December 31, 2021) additional custom duties (of up
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for details of
other cases.
to 20%) on imports into the European Union (EU) of certain products originating in the
United States (US); in particular only lighters of a certain type were subject to an
increase in customs duties of 20%.
Zippo Manufacturing claims to be the only known manufacturer of metal mechanical
windproof lighters in the US. A significant part of its lighters, which it distributes under
the Zippo brand, is imported into the EU. Considering that the increase in customs
duties on its lighters had, inter alia, breached the principle of good administration and
in particular, its right to be heard beforehand, Zippo seeked the annulment of
that increase before the General Court of the European Union.
The Court upheld Zippo’s action and annulled the increase in customs duties on the
type of lighters at issue (case T-402/20, see also Press release No. 157/23).
The Commission appealed the General Court’s ruling at the Court, asking to set it
aside.
Background Documents C-811/23 P
There will be an Info Rapide for the case (available on request).
Week VI: 2nd to 6th February
Thursday 5th February
Judgment in Joined Cases C-364/24 and C-393/24 Fidenato
(Agriculture – Environment – Free movement of goods – Fundamental rights – Public Health)
These cases concern the situation of an Italian farmer who had cultivated genetically