The European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee, in a workshop on 24 June 2026, heard experts argue that digital products erode traditional ownership due to licences, updates, and remote services, with weak post-warranty protection. Chair Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA) led the session, which examined digital ownership, enforcement of EU digital laws, and the Digital Omnibus and Digital Networks Act. Experts Christiane Wendehorst (University of Vienna), Alberto De Franceschi (University of Ferrara), and Marco Loos (Amsterdam Centre for Transformative Private Law) called for stronger duties on update duration, transparency, and remedies against premature obsolescence and abandonware. Martins Prieditis (European Commission – DG JUST) outlined update duties and an autumn 2026 implementation report. Hans Schulte-Nölke and Mary-Rose McGuire (European Law Institute) presented a study favouring a horizontal enforcement toolbox for the digital rulebook, citing fragmentation across GDPR, DSA, and Data Act. Pablo Arias Echeverría (EPP) and Maria Grapini (S&D) pushed for clearer contract summaries and better consumer information, while Wendehorst warned transparency alone is insufficient. On the Digital Omnibus, Alex Agius Saliba (S&D) backed simplification but opposed deregulation, especially repeal of the P2B Regulation, while Sophia Kircher (EPP) welcomed P2B retention and GDPR simplification. The Commission (DG CONNECT) defended the Omnibus as clarification, not deregulation. On the Digital Networks Act, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew) proposed five priorities including binding conciliation, while Alexandra Geese (Greens/EFA) and Kateřina Konečná (The Left) criticised voluntary conciliation and weaker consumer protections. The Commission rejected fair share and linked slow fibre rollout to copper persistence. Christel Schaldemose (S&D) handled the Single Market and Customs Programme, with Dirk Gotink (EPP) stressing customs costs and Katrin Langensiepen (Greens/EFA) insisting on 95% co-financing. Next steps: amendment deadlines 7–8 July, IMCO votes planned for November 2026. The common-charger review was postponed. Affected stakeholders include consumers, digital product manufacturers, telecom operators, and national enforcement authorities.
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