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Autores : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, CROSSFIELD CLARE BABETTE, SERPIERI Margherita

Resumen : This study was prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). It analyses the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus package proposals published on 19 November 2025, distinguishing administrative simplification from more substantive recalibration of safeguards across data, privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence areas. The study highlights key areas of controversy (legal certainty, enforcement capacity, and impacts on rights) and sets out areas for consideration for parliamentary scrutiny.

Autor externo : Goda Skiotytė, Audronė Sadauskaitė

Resumen : This study was prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). It analyses the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus package proposals published on 19 November 2025, distinguishing administrative simplification from more substantive recalibration of safeguards across data, privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence areas. The study highlights key areas of controversy (legal certainty, enforcement capacity, and impacts on rights) and sets out areas for consideration for parliamentary scrutiny.

Autor externo : Goda SKIOTYTĖ, Audronė SADAUSKAITĖ

Resumen : This study maps funding gaps affecting EU customs and market surveillance authorities. It reviews existing EU and national financing mechanisms, identifies structural imbalances and operational challenges, and assesses policy options for complementary funding in light of the EU Customs reform and the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework. The study was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Autores : MARTINELLO BARBARA

Autor externo : Giangiacomo D’ANGELO, Federico CASOLARI, Martina MINARDI, and Carlo TOVO

Resumen : 'In 2026, we will deliver', was the main message of European Council President António Costa after the EU leaders' informal competitiveness retreat at Alden Biesen castle, Belgium, on 12 February 2026. There was a shared sense of urgency on the need to fix the ailing EU economy, which suffers from low productivity, expensive energy, bureaucracy, a fragmented single market, fierce competition from the United States and China, and the unravelling rules-based global order. As usual, no formal conclusions were adopted, but in light of the new geoeconomic situation a consensus emerged among EU leaders to move forward rapidly and decisively on: 1) the simplification agenda, 2) the completion of the single market towards 'one market for one Europe', 3) the review of the merger guidelines to allow champions to emerge in strategic sectors, 4) the need for short-term measures to address the cost of energy, notably electricity prices, 5) the introduction of a targeted European preference for strategic sectors, 6) a proactive trade policy, with swift implementation of recent trade deals and the negotiation of further ones, and 7) accelerated implementation of the savings and investment union. The meeting paved the way to the adoption of concrete measures at the March European Council, at which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present a 'One Europe, One Market Roadmap and Action Plan'. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was invited to join EU leaders, as were the authors of two landmark competitiveness reports, Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi.

Autores : PAPUNEN Annastiina

Resumen : This study maps funding gaps affecting EU customs and market surveillance authorities. It reviews existing EU and national financing mechanisms, identifies structural imbalances and operational challenges, and assesses policy options for complementary funding in light of the EU Customs reform and the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework. The study was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Autores : MARTINELLO BARBARA

Autor externo : Giangiacomo D’ANGELO, Federico CASOLARI, Martina MINARDI, and Carlo TOVO

Resumen : On 19 November 2025, the Commission published a proposal for a Digital Omnibus on AI: a set of amendments to the Artificial Intelligence Act (in force since 1 August 2024) and to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules for civil aviation (in force since 11 September 2018). These amendments seek to address specific implementation issues and to reduce the regulatory burden arising from the AI Act; the timely application of the AI Act has faced some delays, particularly regarding the designation of national competent authorities and the publication of harmonised standards and compliance tools for high-risk AI requirements. The minor amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 aim to ensure the consistent application of the AI Act's high-risk requirements in civil aviation. The Digital Omnibus on AI is part of a broader digital package published on 19 November 2025, which includes two digital omnibus proposals (henceforth referred to as 'the digital omnibus': one amending personal and non-personal data and cybersecurity rules, and another – the Digital Omnibus on AI – amending AI rules), the European data union strategy and a proposed regulation on European business wallets. The digital package aims to simplify and enhance the effectiveness of the EU's digital laws, and help EU businesses to innovate, scale, and save on administrative costs. While the digital package has been welcomed by most stakeholders, the digital omnibus has raised concerns about achieving simplification while ensuring fundamental rights. It also entails a risk that simplification could upset the fragile equilibrium achieved during the initial trilogue negotiations.

Autores : Niestadt Maria

Resumen : Enhancing the EU's competitiveness is a key priority for the European Council in the current legislative cycle. In a complex geopolitical environment, in which the international rules-based order is increasingly undermined and core alliances are questioned, it is essential for Europe to be able to stand firmly on its own feet. Strengthening the single market and the EU economic base is 'an urgent strategic imperative' in the words of European Council President António Costa, to improve the EU's competitiveness and develop its strategic autonomy. On 12 February 2026, EU leaders will meet for an informal leaders' retreat – 'a strategic brainstorming session', according to President Costa – in Alden Biesen, Belgium, to discuss EU competitiveness. This meeting, which 19 EU leaders requested in a letter in October 2025, builds on previous discussions on the topic, notably 1) the informal meeting of 22 January 2026 on transatlantic relations and trade, 2) the strategic discussion on geoeconomy and competitiveness at the December 2025 European Council meeting, and 3) the October 2025 regular meeting on simplification and twin transition. Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta have been invited to join the retreat to share their visions and highlight developments since their groundbreaking reports. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will also address the meeting; President Costa has met Parliament's Conference of Presidents ahead of the retreat. No formal conclusions are expected from the strategic debate, but the reflections are likely to feed into the March 2026 European Council conclusions.

Autores : PAPUNEN Annastiina

Autores : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, SERPIERI Margherita

Resumen : The European Commission drew up seven impact assessments (IAs) in support of 18 programme proposals for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the proposed regulation on a horizontal performance framework. The broad scope of these IAs does not allow individual programme proposals to be assessed in any detail – as is particularly salient in the case of the IA on the national and regional partnership plans, covering nine legislative proposals. All IAs acknowledge a deviation from the scope and depth of a standard IA as defined by the Better Regulation Guidelines (BRG). This is justified with Tool #9 of the BR Toolbox, which indicates the specificity of the MFF, but does not define how related IAs should be carried out. As a result, the application of the better regulation principles varies widely across the MFF IAs. They are similar insofar as the Commission chose for all of them a mostly horizontal rather than policy-specific approach and did not include any budgetary considerations and scenarios. These choices affect the quality of key sections of the IAs considerably, albeit to varying extents. The problem definition often lacks specificity and substantiation. Similarly, the IAs' objectives remain largely unspecific, which, in turn, affects the IAs' monitoring and evaluation provisions and risks hampering the future measuring of the objectives' achievement. The description of policy options is in most cases short and vague, which weakens the impact analysis. The depth to which economic, social and environmental impacts are assessed varies across the sampled IAs. The analysis remains predominantly qualitative, with quantification largely lacking. All seven MFF initiatives are deemed relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and are thus listed in the 'SME filter'. The IAs state that they place great emphasis on simplification and burden reduction. None of them is accompanied by a subsidiarity grid, and they discuss subsidiarity, European added value and proportionality rather briefly. While the IAs differ considerably in terms of quality and transparency when it comes to their evidence base and methodology, all of them acknowledge certain limitations and a lack of data (notably quantitative data). Consultation activities were largely limited to open public consultations. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) found significant shortcomings in all seven draft IAs, prompting it, exceptionally, to issue opinions without qualification. The persisting flaws in the final IAs suggest that the RSB recommendations have at best been partially addressed. Altogether, the limited quality of the MFF IAs appears to reflect a missed opportunity to provide policymakers with high-quality and transparent evidence for one of the most important policy packages to be negotiated in the coming months and years.

Autores : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, KRAMER Esther

Autores : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, SERPIERI Margherita

Resumen : The IA is part of the second package of Commission proposals for programmes under the 2028 2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF). It acknowledges from the start that it deviates from the scope and standard IA methods defined by the Commission's better regulation guidelines and toolbox, which affects all parts of the IA. Another particularity is the fact that the IA is entirely qualitative and does not provide any quantified estimates, either for the problem definition, or for the impacts, or for the 'one in, one out' approach. The problem definition lacks coherence and substantiation. It describes in short sections a panoply of problems in the design of the broad range of current programmes and policies covered by this initiative, without clearly indicating the link between these problems, the drivers causing them, their consequences or, for that matter, the overall magnitude (and relevance) of the problems. Furthermore, the IA's objectives do not fulfil the better regulation 'SMART' criteria – they are relevant, but not specific, measurable, achievable or time-bound. The description of the limited range of options (two) is vague, because the IA does not present any specific implementation or governing measures for them. Therefore, the assessment of their impacts is also vague, as the difference between the options remains blurred. The IA focuses on regulatory impacts and does not assess economic, social or environmental impacts, or other potentially relevant impacts, such as budgetary implications or impacts on third countries. The IA does not assess proportionality. Nor does it provide monitoring or evaluation indicators in relation to the initiative's objectives. The critical comments of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board on the draft IA were only partially taken into account, at best, in the final IA. Finally, the evidence base of the IA seems limited and often unspecific, with several of the most cited sources (interim evaluations) not publicly available. The methodology and the IA's underlying assumptions are not explained, nor are potential uncertainties or limitations with the analysis, which limits the IA's transparency significantly. The legislative proposal is in line with the IA's preferred option but goes beyond the IA, which takes a general approach overall.

Autores : KRAMER Esther

Resumen : On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also to strengthening enforcement. These three areas will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. Just like last year's CWP, the 2026 CWP adheres to the seven headline ambitions put forward in the political guidelines. It is accompanied by a report on implementation, simplification and enforcement, the first of its kind. This new annual report is set to replace the annual burden survey. Annex I of the 2026 CWP puts forward 70 major new legislative and non-legislative initiatives, 44 % of which fall under the competitiveness headline ambition. (Up to) 48 of the new initiatives are legislative, including three sector-specific omnibus packages (on energy product legislation, taxation and citizens). Of the forthcoming legislative initiatives, 67 % are likely revisions of existing legislation, while more than half have a strong simplification dimension. Unlike previous CWPs, the 2026 CWP does not indicate whether a legislative initiative will be accompanied by an impact assessment; this lack of transparency runs counter to the spirit of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. Information on the Commission's 'Have your say' portal shows that, at the time of writing, two thirds of the up to 48 legislative initiatives were expected to be accompanied by an impact assessment (though the final number may be higher). The annual evaluation plan presented in Annex II of the CWP, comprising 20 evaluations, does not appear exhaustive. Finally, the communication on Better Regulation, expected in Q2 2026, may entail a revision of the Better Regulation Guidelines, the first since 2021.

Autores : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, DALLI HUBERT, IOANNIDES Isabelle

Resumen : Quantum technologies are developing rapidly. They have extensive uses in secure communications, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, defence and security, and space, and may bring about a change of paradigm in technological capabilities. Their economic and strategic value makes them a high priority for EU strategic autonomy. The new Quantum Europe Strategy intends to establish the EU as a global leader in quantum technologies by 2030. This paper explores the potential paths the EU can take to establish itself as a global leader in this field. To ensure that the strategy holds in a highly unpredictable world, we have conducted a foresight exercise to 'wind-tunnel' (stress-test) statements taken from the quantum strategy against the European Commission Joint Research Centre's four reference foresight scenarios.

Autores : PATAKI Gabor Zsolt

Resumen : Although microelectronics have a significant role in modern life, their low visibility and complex value chain have contributed to concealing a decline in EU industry in the field. It is broadly assumed that microelectronics are designed in California and manufactured in Taiwan. What if the EU could take a particularly strategic position in this technology?

Autores : GARCIA HIGUERA ANDRES

Resumen : The study examines restrictions affecting cross-border trade in services within the EU. It draws on quantitative data to show that intra-EU services trade is far more liberal than extra-EU trade, although the pace of reform has slowed in recent years. The analysis identifies remaining barriers as being associated with regulations that apply to both domestic and foreign service providers, and highlights significant variation across Member States, which creates scope for increasing competitiveness and generating benefits for individual Member States. Realizing this potential requires sustained efforts at both the national and EU levels to reduce trade-related costs.

Autores : MARTINELLO BARBARA

Autor externo : Bernard HOEKMAN, Ben SHEPHERD

Resumen : The European Parliament is vested with powers of democratic oversight and political scrutiny vis-à-vis the European Commission. These powers of Parliament enhance the democratic legitimacy of the EU as a whole, and help increase the transparency and accountability of the Commission as the EU's executive body. This study examines Parliament's oversight and scrutiny powers over the Commission. It focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the powers that are enshrined in specific provisions of the EU Treaties. This includes Parliament's role in the Commission's investiture, in motions of censure, parliamentary questions, committees of inquiry and special committees, and in the Commission's obligations to report, consult and inform. It also looks into Parliament's scrutiny over budgetary issues, of delegated acts, in the context of the EU legislative procedure and agenda-setting, of legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, and of the EU's external relations. The study builds on a previous EPRS study on parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission, originally requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in 2018. The data presented in this edition focus on the ninth term parliamentary term (2019 to 2024).

Autores : TENHUNEN Susanna, EISELE Katharina, AHAMAD MADATALI HANNAH NAFIZE, JANSEN Talander Hugo

Resumen : Commitments made by Jessika Roswall, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, 2024-2029

Autores : MARTINELLO BARBARA, MAJERCZYK MAGDALENA, NANNUCCI LAPO, POLLUVEER KRISTI

Resumen : Commitments made at the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate 2024-2029

Resumen : This analysis discusses specific issues regarding the proposal for a Directive on the transparency of third-country lobbying. It highlights complex questions in relation to civil society organisations and the need for uniform implementation and effective judicial protection. If designed and implemented well, the Directive could establish a transparent framework for foreign governments to engage in lobbying within the EU. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Autor externo : Emilia KORKEA-AHO

Resumen : This paper provides a graphic overview on core legislation in the area of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. The presentation essentially covers the areas within the responsibility of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, but also displays neighbouring areas of other Committees' competences which are closely connected to and impacting on IMCO's work. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies and the Secretariat of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) at the request of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection.

Autores : MAINARDI ELENA, MARTINELLO BARBARA