The Working Party on Competitiveness and Growth (Industry) of the Council of the European Union will meet on 17 July 2026 at 10:00 in Brussels to continue the article-by-article examination of the proposed Chips Act 2.0 Regulation, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council. The meeting, to be held at the Justus Lipsius Building, will focus on the proposal for a Regulation on a framework for strengthening the EU's semiconductor ecosystem, which would repeal the current Chips Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781). The agenda includes adoption of the provisional agenda, the continuation of the article-by-article examination based on reference documents ST 10094/26 and ST 10094/26 ADD 1, and any other business. The meeting is scheduled in format 1+2, indicating participation by one delegate plus two advisors per member state.
This technical scrutiny session advances the legislative process for the Chips Act 2.0, which was proposed by the European Commission to bolster the EU's semiconductor industry, reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, and enhance supply chain resilience. The original Chips Act, adopted in 2023, aimed to mobilise €43 billion in public and private investments and double the EU's global market share in semiconductors to 20% by 2030. The proposed update seeks to address evolving challenges, including geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and the need for greater self-sufficiency in critical components.
The Working Party's examination is a standard step in the Council's legislative procedure, where member state experts scrutinise the text before it proceeds to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) and ultimately to the Council for adoption. No decisions or exclusions are expected from this meeting, as it is purely a technical review. The European Parliament is also examining the proposal, with its Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) expected to adopt its position later in 2026.
The Chips Act 2.0 proposal has significant implications for stakeholders. EU semiconductor manufacturers and downstream industries, such as automotive and electronics, stand to benefit from increased investment and reduced supply chain vulnerabilities. However, the regulation may impose new compliance costs and administrative burdens on companies, particularly smaller firms. EU member states will need to coordinate national strategies and potentially allocate additional public funds. Consumers may eventually see more stable prices and availability of electronic goods, though short-term costs could rise due to investment requirements. The proposal also raises trade-offs between fostering innovation and ensuring security of supply, as well as between public investment and market-driven growth.