State of the European Union: Housing, competitiveness and circularity among top priorities

Alongside international affairs, the speech placed strong emphasis on priorities central to Glass for Europe: housing, competitiveness, and circularity.

President von der Leyen reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the housing crisis, which she described as “a major social issue.” The European Affordable Housing Plan, now expected within the next 12 months, will aim not only to make housing more affordable but also more sustainable and of higher quality.

Since the beginning of this mandate, Glass for Europe has advocated for the Housing Plan to account for the long-term operational costs of buildings. Inefficient windows alone can cause up to 30% of a building’s energy loss, directly reducing households’ disposable income. Glass for Europe has provided detailed recommendations in its contribution to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence.

Beyond the Affordable Housing Plan, the Commission announced several complementary initiatives: a revision of State aid rules to enable housing support measures, a legal initiative on short-term rentals, and the organisation of the first EU Housing Summit. As a representative of a key construction material, Glass for Europe looks forward to contributing to these developments.

The address also underscored the importance of EU industrial competitiveness, linking it not only to economic performance but also to social stability and geopolitical sovereignty. Building on the hurdles identified in the Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission will table new legislative proposals, including the Industrial Accelerator Act and the Circular Economy Act.

The Industrial Accelerator Act is expected to be released later this year. Glass for Europe has already submitted some recommendations and urges the Commission to keep its scope focused on the decarbonisation and transformation of energy intensive industries. The Circular Economy Act, foreseen for 2026, is currently under public consultation, and Glass for Europe is preparing its contribution.

Together, these initiatives represent significant opportunities to advance the priorities of the flat glass and glazing industry. Glass for Europe’s team looks forward to working closely with policymakers to ensure these objectives are achieved.