European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
digital single market
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, September 2018
The highlight of September’s plenary session was the State of the Union speech by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, announcing a number of legislative proposals to come by the end of the Commission’s mandate. Continue reading
Fairness and transparency for business users of online services [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services on 26 May 2018. Continue reading
Interim digital services tax on revenues from certain digital services [EU Legislation in Progress]
There is a consensus that the digital economy is relatively undertaxed when compared with traditional businesses. Certain inherent characteristics such as reliance on cross-border provision of services without physical presence, easy transfers of intangible assets, and novel ways to create value make it particularly easy for enterprises to limit their tax liabilities. Continue reading
Corporate taxation of a significant digital presence [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy podcast]
Despite achieving unprecedented growth and profit rates, the digital economy seems to be relatively undertaxed when compared to more traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ companies. Continue reading
Modernisation of EU consumer protection rules: A new deal for consumers [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy podcast]
On 11 April 2018, the European Commission published a proposal for a directive on better enforcement and modernisation of EU consumer protection, as part of its ‘new deal for consumers’ package of measures. Continue reading
WIFI4EU – Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Christian Scheinert (3rd edition), On 12 September 2017, the European Parliament voted to adopt a legislative act that aims at the promotion of very fast wireless internet access in local communities. This service will be provided free of charge to the public at large. The areas covered will encompass public administrations, libraries and … Continue reading
The new European electronic communications code [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 September 2016, the Commission proposed a new European electronic communications code which would overhaul the existing legislative framework for telecommunications. Continue reading
Towards a European gigabit society: Connectivity targets and 5G
Written by Mar Negreiro. In September 2016, the Commission put forward new strategic connectivity objectives for 2025 as part of its digital single market strategy. These should prepare Europe for the roll-out of the next generation of broadband infrastructure with gigabit speeds, including both fixed and mobile internet access (5G). Once available, from 2020 onwards, … Continue reading
Copyright in the digital single market [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 September 2016, the European Commission presented a legislative package for the modernisation of the EU copyright rules, including a new directive on copyright in the digital single market. The proposal aims at further harmonising the EU copyright framework taking into account the increasing digital and cross-border uses of protected content. Continue reading
Geo-blocking and discrimination among customers in the EU [EU Legislation in Progress]
Geo-blocking practices commonly restrict cross-border sales of tangible goods as well as of electronically supplied services and electronically delivered content services in the EU. Continue reading
The EU and innovation [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The European Union has long sought ways to foster innovation, starting with support for research and industrial policies in the 1970s, through action plans in the 1990s and the Lisbon Strategy of 2000, to the Europe 2020 strategy of 2010, now updated by the 10 priorities of European Commission President Jean-Claude … Continue reading
Single-minded about the Single Market – May II Plenary Session
Written by Clare Ferguson, The second plenary session in May will open on Wednesday afternoon with an address by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, currently holders of the presidency of the Council of the European Union. One of the EU’s highest priorities is the completion of the Single Market, and the main focus … Continue reading
Postal services in the digital age
Written by Balazs Hopp The EU postal sector has undergone significant changes in the past several years. Today, postal service providers are confronted with the growth in e-commerce: new technologies make shopping online more convenient and therefore increase the number of packages and parcels conveyed by postal operators. While parcel deliveries are increasing, letter volumes … Continue reading
Bridging the digital divide in the EU
Written by Mar Negreiro Digital technologies play an important role in the everyday life of most Europeans; the internet allows people, businesses and governments to transform the ways they communicate and engage with one another. Yet some parts of the population are still excluded from using these new methods. Improving the EU fast broadband internet … Continue reading
The EU rules on network neutrality: key provisions, remaining concerns
Written by Tambiama Madiega Network neutrality can be described essentially as a non-discrimination principle, requiring that all electronic communication passing through an internet service provider (ISP) network is treated equally. After a lengthy debate, on 27 October 2015, the European Parliament adopted the Telecoms Single Market (TSM) Regulation which includes, inter alia, new rules to … Continue reading
EPRS and OPEN DAYS – open for business
Written by Christiaan van Lierop Attracting some 6 000 participants from across Europe, the four day OPEN DAYS event is Europe’s largest annual get-together of regional movers and shakers. Launched in 2003, the event has grown to become the EU’s leading networking platform for experts in local and regional development. But it’s about much more than … Continue reading
European contract law and the Digital Single Market: Policy Hub
Written by Rafał Mańko On Friday, 18 September 2015, the EPRS Citizens’ Policies Unit held a Policy Hub devoted to ‘European contract law and the Digital Single Market’. Moderated by Piotr Bąkowski, Policy Analyst with the Citizens’ Policies Unit of the Members’ Research Service, the Policy Hub brought together a renowned expert in the field, … Continue reading
A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe
Written by Marcin Szczepański The European Commission has proposed a new strategy to create a fully integrated Digital Single Market (DSM), in order to gradually bring down the remaining obstacles and move from 28 national markets to a single one. The strategy comprises a mix of legislative and non-legislative initiatives to be tabled by the … Continue reading
Consumer protection in the EU: Policy overview
Written by Jana Valant The final consumption expenditure of households currently accounts for 57% of EU gross domestic product. A single market that serves consumers well is therefore an important element to stimulating Europe’s economic growth. The Council Resolution of 14 April 1975 on a preliminary programme of the European Economic Community for a consumer … Continue reading
Digital Single Market and geo-blocking
Written by Tambiama Madiega On 6 May 2015 the European Commission unveiled its Digital Single Market Strategy with which, inter alia, it intends to remove barriers to e-commerce across Europe. One such barrier is ‘geo-blocking’, that is commercial practices that prevent or restrict customers from accessing or purchasing a product or a service online, thereby … Continue reading
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