The European Parliament's Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee held a workshop on 3 June 2026 to evaluate the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (2004/48/EC), revealing a split between MEPs who want stronger cross-border enforcement and those who argue the current framework is sufficient. EPP rapporteur Axel Voss called for enhanced mechanisms to combat counterfeiting, while S&D's Tiemo Wölken pushed back, advocating for better implementation and SME support instead. Renew Europe's Stéphanie Yon-Courtin questioned whether the directive adequately addresses digital enforcement, particularly regarding online platforms, and Greens-EFA MEP Heidi Hautala stressed the need for proportionality and safeguards against abuse of IP rights. European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty Henna Virkkunen noted that an ongoing evaluation will inform any future legislative proposals. The workshop also covered EFRAG's 2026 work programme, where MEPs welcomed the focus on sustainability reporting but raised concerns about administrative burdens on smaller companies. No formal decisions were taken; the workshop served as input for the committee's own-initiative report.
Stakeholder impact Rightsholders would benefit from stronger cross-border enforcement if Voss's proposals are adopted, potentially reducing counterfeiting losses. SMEs could face increased compliance costs if new obligations are introduced, aligning with Wölken's caution. Online platforms may face stricter liability rules under digital enforcement measures, as questioned by Yon-Courtin. National enforcement authorities would need to coordinate more closely, requiring additional resources.
Next steps The JURI committee will use the workshop's input to draft its own-initiative report on the directive, expected later in 2026. The Commission's evaluation, due by end of 2026, will determine whether legislative revision follows.