Choose Europe

This is the name of a new EU programme for the recruitment of international scientists, which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron presented at the Sorbonne in Paris on 5 May. Half a billion euros will be used to make Europe an attractive home and a safe harbour for free science. The idea behind it is right in that it combines the defence of European values with the strengthening of European science. However, this justified self-confidence must not turn into arrogance if we really mean to strengthen science, not only by way of speeches but also structurally, in the coming years. The EU needs to do its homework on this because careers in science are not very attractive in many European countries. Merely recruiting top foreign researchers (which basically means poaching them from elsewhere) without boosting our own great potential could even give rise to resentment. However, if we succeed in improving conditions for science as a whole, it could spell a new golden age of science and research in Europe, because quality always attracts quality, and that is nowhere truer than in science. 

I wish you an informative read.

Yours
Henning Vöpel

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presents the ‘Choose Europe for science’ programme at the Sorbonne in Paris on 5 May.

Reducing Bureaucracy: Omnibus 3 and 4

On 16 and 21 May, the Commission will publish its third and fourth omnibus packages. The term "omnibus" refers to a law that amends numerous other laws. The omnibus packages aim to reduce the bureaucratic burden on companies. The Commission wants to reduce red tape for companies by 25% by the end of its term of office, and by as much as 35% for SMEs. The third omnibus package aims to reduce red tape for farming businesses. The fourth omnibus package will contain an EU-wide standardised definition of "small mid-caps". "Small mid-caps", usually referred to as "small-cap companies", are smaller listed companies with low market capitalisation. The package will also include exemptions for these companies from certain reporting and compliance obligations. The omnibus package could also include simplifications to the General Data Protection Regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Commission published Omnibus packages 1 and 2 back in February. They are intended to make it easier for companies to fulfil the sustainability obligations (Omnibus 1, see cepAdhoc on Revision of the Supply Chain Directive and cepAdhoc on Revision of sustainability reporting) and to facilitate investments (Omnibus 2).

Single Market Strategy for 2025: Reducing Hurdles and Bureaucracy

On 21 May, the Commission will present a new single market strategy, the aim of which is to reduce regulatory and administrative hurdles in the single market. The strategy will focus on removing barriers to the cross-border provision of services. It will also contain measures aimed at ensuring compliance with, and proper implementation of, internal market rules in all Member States. This will be achieved by way of better cooperation with the Member States and by digitalising processes and procedures, among other things. Finally, the single market strategy will be closely linked to the initiative on reducing red tape and simplifying legislation. The focus here is on measures to relieve the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Communication on Ending Russian Energy Imports

On 6 May 2025, the Commission will publish a Communication, originally intended for March, in which it will outline a roadmap for ending Russian energy imports. In the RePowerEU plan, the EU set itself the goal of gradually ending its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia well before 2030 (cepAdhoc 4/2022). Even after closure of the Transgas pipeline through Ukraine, however, the EU continues to acquire Russian natural gas most notably by ship in the form of LNG. By means of a concrete roadmap, the Commission now wants to define a framework for ending these remaining energy imports too. The main focus will probably be on the specific timing of a complete move away from Russian gas and how to deal with Member States that are still heavily dependent on Russian gas imports.

Start-ups and Scale-ups: Better Framework Conditions for Young Companies in the EU

On 28 May 2025, the Commission will present a start-up and scale-up strategy. The Commission sees start-ups and scale-ups as crucial for Europe's future competitiveness. They can make a significant contribution to closing the innovation gap between Europe and other important economic areas. According to the Commission, a new strategy is needed, as there are still numerous barriers to the growth of these young companies in the EU. This, it says, was also demonstrated by Enrico Letta's report on the future of the single market (see here) and Mario Draghi's report on strengthening the EU's competitiveness (see here). As part of the EU strategy, the Commission therefore wants to identify measures for improving the framework conditions for start-ups and scale-ups. As announced in the "EU Competitiveness Compass” (see here), presented at the end of January 2025, the strategy will include ideas for improving links between universities and companies and for commercialising patents. Obstacles to accessing venture capital will also be removed and steps will be outlined on how start-ups and scale-ups can gain easier access to talent, skilled labour, state-of-the-art infrastructure, knowledge and services. Furthermore, the initiative will include a "European Innovation Act" aiming to provide innovative start-ups and scale-ups with easier access to European research and technology infrastructure. The Commission is also planning to introduce a so-called "28th legal regime" so that, instead of having to deal with 27 different legal systems in the internal market, innovative companies will be subject to just one set of harmonised EU rules. This set of rules will cover, for example, aspects of corporate, insolvency, labour and tax law.
In a Consultation carried out between 17 February 2025 and 17 March 2025, the Commission has already gathered opinions from stakeholders on the planned EU strategy. The opinions, which number over 500, can be found here.

The EU Commission asks decision-makers and interested parties from civil society for their opinion on European policy proposals. Here is our short-list of the most important consultations:

Intellectual Property: Combating Online Piracy of Sports and other Live Events

On May 4, 2023, the European Commission published a Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events, calling on Member States and other stakeholders such as rightsholders, providers of intermediary services, advertising and payment services, to take action against the unauthorized retransmission of live events such as illegal soccer streams.
The Commission now wants to assess by November 17, 2025, the effects of this Recommendation on unauthorised retransmissions of sports and other live events and has launched a public consultation. Among other things, it wants to find out how the various measures proposed in the recommendation have been implemented, what the main obstacles to their implementation are, what costs have been incurred in implementing the measures, and to what extent the Digital Services Act (DSA, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) has helped to reduce the unauthorized retransmission of live events. It also wants to also examine whether the recommended measures are still effective, given technological, market and social developments, or whether additional measures are necessary at EU level to prevent online piracy of live events.
The consultation is aimed, among others, at holders of rights in the transmission of life events, e.g. broadcasters, at online platforms and online intermediaries such as providers of internet services and cloud services, at providers of payment and advertising services as well as at public authorities and consumers.

The submission period for opinions ends on 28 May 2025.
Go to Consultation

Computing Capacity in the EU

On 9 April 2025, the Commission launched a Consultation and Call for Evidence on computing capacity in the EU. Computing capacity is of great importance for many digital applications, and especially for the development of AI. The Commission is planning to triple the EU’s data processing capacity in the next five to seven years. To this end, it wants to remove obstacles to the expansion of data centre capacities. These include, most notably, long approval times and difficulties in accessing energy, water, land and capital. Finally, the EU Commission would also like to boost the range of EU cloud computing services in order to serve use cases with particularly high security requirements. The EU Commission presents four policy options for achieving these goals. The options range from non-legislative measures (Option 1) to a comprehensive regulatory approach with binding measures (Option 4).

The submission period for opinions ends on 4 June 2025.
Go to Consultation and Call for Evidence

Artificial Intelligence I: Consultation on the "Apply AI Strategy" Launched

On 9 April 2025, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the new "Apply AI Strategy". The strategy is due to be published this year and aims to serve as a strategic roadmap to promote the use of artificial intelligence in key European economic sectors, and to strengthen the EU's position as an "AI Continent". The consultation aims to identify existing barriers and potential solutions to facilitate the adoption of AI technologies in key industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, security and defence, agri-food, energy, environment and climate, mobility and automotive, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, robotics and telecommunications. In addition, use of AI in the public sector will be promoted in order to increase the quality and efficiency of public services. Another important part of the consultation concerns the concrete implementation of the EU AI Act, with specific questions on the practical challenges and support requirements. The background to the initiative is that Europe is lagging behind its international competitors in terms of AI utilisation. According to Eurostat, only 13.5% of companies in the EU used AI technologies in 2024. The low level of private willingness to invest, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), makes access to AI applications even more difficult. This increases Europe's technological dependence on external providers and jeopardises the ability of European companies to remain innovative and competitive in the long term. The "Apply AI Strategy" aims to counteract these challenges in a targeted manner, improve the framework conditions for AI innovations and establish a competitive AI ecosystem in Europe.

The submission period for opinions ends on 4 June 2025.
Go to Consultation

Artificial intelligence II: Consultation to Clarify the General-purpose AI Rules

On 22 April, the European Commission launched a consultation to clarify the EU rules on so-called AI general purpose models ("General-Purpose AI" or): GPAI for short). The feedback will be incorporated into the planned guidelines of the EU AI Office, which will provide a practical explanation of the most important terms and provisions of the EU AI Act for GPAI models. The planned guidelines will focus on clarifying key questions such as "What is a general-purpose AI model?" and "Which players are considered to be providers in various scenarios?". The guidelines also aim to clarify how the AI Office will support companies in complying with the legal requirements. They will also indicate how signing the Code of Conduct for GPAI models - if approved over the summer - may reduce the administrative burden on companies. The consultation offers downstream providers and users of AI systems the opportunity to contribute their insight and perspectives and thus help to improve the feasibility of the envisaged GPAI rules.

The submission period for opinions ends on 22 May 2025.
Go to Consultation

Climate Neutrality: Consultation on a Law to Speed up Decarbonisation

On 15 April 2025, the Commission launched a Consultation on a proposed Regulation to speed up the decarbonisation of European industry. The legislative proposal will include measures to increase the incentive for investment in climate-friendly production technologies. To this end, the Commission wants to accelerate permitting procedures for the implementation of such technologies. It also wants to define criteria for prioritising certain investment projects and promote them separately. Member States will be supported in developing specific regional clusters for the production of zero-emission technologies. The introduction of sustainability and resilience criteria in public procurement will promote the creation of green lead markets.

The submission period for opinions ends on 8 July 2025.
Go to Consultation

EU Emissions Trading (ETS 1): Fitness Test

The Commission wants to review the rules on the EU emissions trading system for stationary installations and for aviation and maritime transport (ETS 1) [ETS Directive 2003/87/EC], including the market stability reserve [MSR Decision (EU) 2015/1814], in order to determine whether they are contributing to EU climate neutrality by 2050 through cost-effective emission reductions. All stakeholders and citizens can submit their opinions on this as part of a Consultation. Particular attention will be given to the transfer of carbon emissions to third countries, the inclusion of additional sectors (e.g. waste incineration), linking with other carbon markets and the functioning of the MSR.

The submission period for opinions ends on 8 July 2025.
Go to Consultation

Bioeconomy: Biomass Production, Bio-Based Materials and Bioenergy

The Commission wants to develop a strategy to create a circular, regenerative and competitive bioeconomy in the EU. The “bioeconomy" includes biomass production and the conversion of biomass into food, bio-based materials and bioenergy [cepPolicyBrief 35/2012; cepInput 5/2024]. Citizens and stakeholders from agriculture, forestry, fisheries, bioproduction and biotechnology, among others, can give feedback here: Consultation. The strategy aims to ensure the efficient and circular use of biological resources, and to promote innovation, guarantee investment security and strengthen the position of European companies in the rapidly expanding international market for biomass production, bio-based materials and biochemicals as well as in the agricultural and food technology sectors.

The submission period for opinions ends on 23 June 2025.
Go to Consultation

Cybersecurity I: Strengthening the Resilience of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers

On 7 April 2025, the Commission launched a Consultation on strengthening the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers. The Consultation follows an Action Plan which the Commission published on 15 January 2025. Among other things, this provides for ENISA to establish a pan-European Cybersecurity Support Centre for hospitals and healthcare providers. The centre will provide entities in the sector with "tailored guidelines, tools, services and training". The plan also provides for measures to improve the prevention of cybersecurity incidents. This could include, for example, "Cybersecurity Vouchers" which aim to give Member States the opportunity to provide financial support to small and medium-sized hospitals and healthcare providers. In addition, an EU-wide early warning service is to be created by 2026, and the establishment of a crisis response service for the healthcare sector, covered by the EU Cybersecurity Reserve, is also part of the action plan. The Reserve was established under the Cybersolidarity Act [(EU) 2025/38]. The action plan also includes a call for Member States to require domestic hospitals and healthcare providers to report ransom payments in the context of cybersecurity incidents. A number of laws to strengthen cybersecurity were also passed at EU level back in the 2019-2024 legislative period, which also affect the healthcare sector. This includes most notably the revised NIS 2 Directive [(EU) 2022/2555, see cepAdhoc). It also obliges many players in the healthcare sector to take appropriate and proportionate technical, operational and organisational measures to manage risks associated with the security of network and information systems, and to report cybersecurity incidents. The cyber-resilience legislation, which came into force in December 2024 [(EU) 2024/2847, see cepPolicyBrief], is also part of the EU's efforts and, in particular, sets out basic cybersecurity requirements for the design, development and manufacture of products with digital elements and the placing of such products on EU markets. The Action Plan  presented in January 2025 now therefore supplements and/or complements the existing EU requirements.
The new Consultation aims to tie in with the Action Plan. Stakeholder feedback will play an important role in the implementation of the measures announced in this plan. The Commission intends to present its first recommendations at the end of 2025.

The submission period for opinions ends on 30 June 2025.
Go to Consultation

Cybersecurity II: Revision of the EU Cybersecurity Act

On 11 April 2025, the Commission launched a Call for Evidence and a Consultation on the revision of the EU Cybersecurity Act (Regulation (EU) 2019/881, CSA). The CSA came into force in April 2019. It defines the objectives, tasks and organisational aspects of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and also creates a framework for certifying the cybersecurity of ICT products, services and processes at EU level. The Commission announced the presentation of a digital package for the fourth quarter of 2025 when it submitted its work programme for 2025. As part of the package, the Commission also wants to revise the CSA and fleshed out its plans in the recently presented EU strategy on internal security ["Protect EU”, COM(2025) 148]. Most notably, it will propose an improvement to the EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework, aimed at ensuring that future certification schemes are adopted in a timely manner and meet policy requirements. Among other things, it sees room for improvement with regard to the adoption process, the agility and effectiveness of the certification procedures, and the clarity and allocation of the roles and responsibilities of the various actors. In addition, the Commission wants to simplify and streamline cybersecurity legislation in line with the EU Competitiveness Compass (see here). It also wants to evaluate ENISA's mandate and review its role. The Commission considers this to be particularly necessary in view of a changing cybersecurity landscape in the EU and the adoption of numerous EU laws on cybersecurity in recent years (e.g. NIS 2 Directive, Cyber Resilience Act).

Back in December, as part of a comprehensive cepInput, cep analysed the CSA in detail and submitted a number of proposals for its revision. At the end of April 2025, cep presented a revised version of this cepInput in English, which includes current developments.

The submission period for opinions ends on 20 June 2025.
Link to Call for Evidence and  Consultation

eIDAS: Clarifications via Several Implementing Acts

On 15 April 2025, the Commission launched several consultations on clarifying the revised Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation, see cepPolicyBrief). The Regulation empowers the Commission to adopt several implementing acts to clarify and standardise certain requirements. The Commission has now submitted a total of 11 draft implementing acts for consultation:

The submission period for opinions ends on 13 May 2025.
You can access the consultations via the links in the list.

Digital Technologies: Surveys on Future Investment Needs

On 29 April 2025, the Commission launched three surveys on future EU investment needs in research, innovation and deployment of digital technologies. As part of these surveys, the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technologies (DG Connect) wants to gather information on the investment needs of stakeholders with regard to “research, innovation and deployment of digital technologies and capabilities”. The findings from the surveys will be incorporated into two studies that the Commission is currently preparing for the multiannual financial framework for the years 2028-2034. Survey 1 is aimed at all stakeholders and seeks feedback on the needs and opportunities for EU investment in research and development and the use of digital technologies. Survey 2 is aimed in particular at the public sector and collects information on the introduction and uptake of digital technologies by public bodies. Survey 3 is aimed specifically at companies and seeks feedback on the current and future planned use of advanced digital technologies.

The submission period for opinions ends on 23 May 2025.
To the surveys

Integrating Capital Markets: Measures to Dismantle Internal Market Barriers

On 15 April 2025, the Commission launched an important and very comprehensive Consultation on further integration of EU capital markets. On 19 March 2025, as part of the presentation of its strategy for a Savings and Investment Union (SIU), it announced numerous measures to reduce the regulatory, supervisory and political fragmentation of EU capital markets [COM(2025) 124, see cepDossier]. This includes, most notably, steps to remove barriers to cross-border trading and post-trading, the cross-border sale of investment funds and the cross-border activities of asset managers. Measures to remove internal market barriers resulting from different supervisory practices play a central role, as do steps to simplify all legislation that hinders the integration of capital markets. The Commission now wants to gather opinions on these topics in a comprehensive 92-page questionnaire. The feedback from stakeholders will contribute to the design of legislative measures that the Commission has announced for the fourth quarter of 2025.

The submission period for opinions ends on 10 June 2025.
Go to Consultation

EFRAG: Consultation on Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS Set 1)

On 8 April 2025, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), which advises the European Commission on the development of sustainability reporting standards, launched a Consultation on the upcoming revision of the first set of sustainability reporting standards (European Sustainability Reporting Standards, ESRS Set 1). As part of the presentation of its first Omnibus package on sustainability [COM(2025) 81 and COM(2025) 80, see cepAdhoc] which includes proposals to amend the Sustainability Reporting Directive [CSRD, (EU) 2022/2464], the Commission announced a revision of ESRS Set 1. In particular, the Commission wants to significantly reduce the number of data points that must be reported, clarify unclear provisions and ensure greater consistency with other EU legislation. It recently instructed EFRAG to submit proposals for the revision of ESRS Set 1 by the end of October 2025 and this is why EFRAG is now holding a consultation. On 25 April 2025, EFRAG presented a work plan for the development of the simplified ESRS Set 1 standards. It also announced a further Consultation for the period from the end of July to the beginning of September 2025. After EFRAG has submitted its proposals in October 2025, the Commission will adapt the delegated act on the ESRS [Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772). According to the omnibus package, this adjustment is to take place no later than six months after the adoption of the revised CSRD.

The submission period for opinions ends on 6 May 2025.
Go to Consultation

SFDR: Disclosure Requirements in the Financial Services Sector
 
On May 2, 2025, the Commission launched an call for evidence regarding the upcoming revision of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) ((EU) 2019/2088). The SFDR has been in force since March 2021 and obliges financial market participants and financial advisors to disclose sustainability information to investors. It is part of the EU's sustainable finance legal framework and is closely linked to the Green Taxonomy Regulation ((EU) 2020/852) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ((EU) 2022/2464, CSRD). The Commission first announced a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the SFDR back in December 2022. It carried out a comprehensive consultation between September and December 2023. In the work programme for 2025, the Commission announced its intention to revise the SFDR in the 4th quarter of 2025. The main objective of the revision is to improve the functioning of the SFDR. Excessive burdens are to be reduced, requirements simplified and streamlined, and the reporting burden reduced. Furthermore, legal clarity is to be strengthened and consistency with other sustainable finance legislation, in particular the Green Taxonomy and the CSRD, is to be increased. This also includes the proposals for simplifications of the Taxonomy and the CSRD (see cepAdhoc) as part of the Omnibus I package on sustainability. The Commission is also examining the introduction of a categorization system for financial products that contain sustainability disclosures. In August 2024, cep already drew up proposals for the revision of the SFDR and called for a general overhaul of the Regulation (see cepStudy).

The submission period for opinions ends on 30 May 2025.
To the call for evidence

Research and Technology Infrastructure: EU Strategy in the Pipeline

On 24 April 2025, the Commission launched a Consultation on a future European strategy for research and technology infrastructure. The Commission considers this infrastructure to be essential for cutting-edge research, the development of innovations and as a basis for the development, testing and scaling of new technologies. It also sees this as a key resource for ensuring scientific and technological excellence and the EU's industrial competitiveness. In her mission letter, the EU Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, has already been tasked with developing a long-term strategy to promote European research and technology infrastructure with the aim of establishing a pan-European infrastructure ecosystem. The aim of such an ecosystem is to ensure that researchers, innovators and industry have access to a broad range of such infrastructure. As part of the Consultation, the Commission now wants to obtain additional information on the infrastructure landscape for European research and technology. In particular, it wants to find out more about the specific problems and challenges faced by existing infrastructure and gather ideas to address these problems and challenges. The Commission intends to present its strategy in an EU Communication in the third quarter of 2025.

The submission period for opinions ends on 22 May 2025.
Go to Consultation

Qualified Specialists for Europe's Digital Future

On 16 May 2025, the European Commission plans to organise an information day on setting up new digital skills academies. The four planned academies - specialising in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and virtual worlds - will specifically address the acute shortage of qualified specialists in critical fields of technology. The aim is to secure Europe’s technological sovereignty. During the event, participants will receive comprehensive information on the application process, funding criteria and financing options. The programme also provides practical advice on how to draw up a budget and register on the EU funding portal. If you are interested, follow this link to the registration form and detailed agenda.

How to Preserve Digital Data and Foundations

On 14 May 2025, the European Commission invites you to the hybrid event "Preserving Digital Foundations with eArchiving". The event will focus on the long-term security and usability of digital databases and the new EUDI electronic archiving trust service. Experts will explain the so-called SIARD specification for the long-term preservation of digital data. In the afternoon, the focus will be on the new European trust service for eArchiving. Based on the EUDI Regulation, this is intended to enable secure, legally compliant and harmonised digital access to archived data throughout Europe. Representatives from public authorities, business and technology will discuss possible application scenarios and regulatory framework conditions. The event is also aimed at private companies interested in innovative solutions for long-term digital data protection. Further information and registration for in-person and online participation can be found here.

Digital Solutions for Compliance: Information and Funding from the EU

On 5 May 2025, the European Commission will present the call for proposals on "Digital solutions for regulatory compliance through data". The aim is to promote innovative digital tools that make it easier for companies and authorities to comply with EU rules automatically. Funding is therefore available for projects that use advanced technologies - particularly artificial intelligence - to simplify various compliance processes, reduce administrative costs and increase transparency. The event will provide information on tender conditions, funding requirements and practical advice on how to apply. The initiative is particularly aimed at sectors that are subject to significant regulatory requirements, such as construction, the environment, manufacturing, healthcare and energy. Follow this link to find out more about the call for proposals and register as a participant.

"Choose Europe!" is what we would like to shout out to the citizens of Romania and Poland. In Romania, the nationalist Simion could be elected as the country's next president. And in Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will also be facing headwinds if Karol Nawrocki, from the PiS party, beats Rafal Trzaskowski to take over from the incumbent President Andrzey Duda. The battle for the future of Europe is far from won.

Best wishes
Henning Vöpel