Anna CAVAZZINI

Policy topics Anna CAVAZZINI is active on

What Anna CAVAZZINI has said (80)

• 2026-07-14 “(12:01:08 - 12:02:52): Thank you so much. I received a lot of letters by citizens, but also stakeholders on a very important topic that is a little bit inter, but also not. But nevertheless, I talk about it. The recent US Supreme Court ruling in the Trump versus Slaughter case means that the US President has the unprecedented power to fire members of more than 20 independent federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission. So this is basically, I would say, the end of the independence of nearly all federal agencies in the US and compromises the political independence of the FTC. The FTC's independent role is crucial in ensuring that US consumers are protected against unfair business practices. Its independence is also a cornerstone of the adequacy decision that enables people's personal data to flow safely between the EU and the US. So the threat to the FTC's independence compounds the existing issues with the adequacy decisions such as the lack of effective redress mechanisms due to the privacy and civil liberties oversight board not being fully staffed. And I would say without an independent FTC, the adequacy decision cannot be maintained. So I also welcome, of course, the Commission's announcement that it will assess the impact of this decision on the EU-US data privacy framework. But I wonder what this assessment will entail because for me, I'm really highly alerted, and, again, not only me, but a lot of stakeholders, a lot of citizens of what will happen with the data if the US is basically scrambling their internal oversight mechanisms. So probably the Commission can answer to that. Thank you.”
  EU-US data transfers
• 2026-07-14 “Donnie Greenberg, member of the entropic technical team, via video. I think so welcome digitally. Yeah, because entropic has been in the headlines for a couple of months because of different reasons that you all know. And we thought in the committee, it's very, very important to also have an exchange of views on that, on the implications for Europe, on the implications on cybersecurity, but also the question of how much we are in the European Union dependent on other countries. President's decision over technology. So I'm very happy that we can have this exchange of views today and again, welcome, Mr. Greenberg. So at the beginning, we will hear from you for around seven minutes. And then of course, the members can come in and ask questions and make comments. You can already signal to the Secretariat if you want to speak. But first I give Mr. Greenberg the floor to present the company, but also to present how you see the present situation. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-07-14 “(09:47:49 - 09:49:07): Yeah. Thank you so much. As 1 of the core rapporteurs of the AIA, I think the AIA is super crucial in order to react to China and some of the, global shifts in geopolitics. But, of course, it's more like a midterm instrument, and I'm deeply convinced that we also need more short term instruments. Of course, like my colleague, Makita, has said, we have, some laws in place that could be used, but I'm also deeply convinced that, there might not be enough. And, of course, we followed very closely what was being discussed at the o last echo and having a a more targeted, you know, overcapacity instrument, however you might call it, I think is of big need at least in some sectors. And I would be really glad if you could elaborate a little bit more detail on your plans. And I just wanna stress what also my colleague, Kathleen Van Dremt, said. I had the feeling, you know, everyone everything what we're describing is absolutely true. Some people describe it as a 2nd China talk, but I would also say if you quote some of the people, for example, the boss of the EU chambers of commerce in Beijing, he is saying we sleepwalked into the situation because everything was clear. China wrote it even down in several 5 years plan, so it was black on white. What is the strategy? And the European Union just basically sleepwalked in the situation, and probably you can also elaborate a little bit of on why that happened.”
  Chinese clean tech competition: trade barriers and investment caps vs. open market
• 2026-07-14 “Sorry. There was some internal discussion. I tried to get the information, but it it's rejected. So we don't have an opinion. That means we go to the next vote. And that is item six, the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 27. All sections where we vote on the draft opinion first and then the vote on the budgetary amendments. Our rapporteur for the opinion is Pyotr Mueller. And I first give the floor to the rapporteur.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-07-14 “Thanks so much for the answers. But then, yeah, we are looking forward to some of the studies and some of the facts you're still looking at. And of course, to potentially some of the delegated acts. This concludes agenda item ten. And we come to our last agenda item for today. The Circular Economy Act driving internal market harmonization, boosting sustainable business models and enhancing EU resilience. We put it on the agenda because the act will be soon published and we wanted to check if the commission has already some preliminary indications of where the travel is going, especially of course also regarding the harmonization and single market are parts that will be definitely in. So I welcome very much the commission that will present of where we stand. And then afterwards we have the opportunity for a discussion or for questions. So I welcome Stefan. No, not yet here, but one second. So I was told now the commission is arriving. That's great. So we can get first indications of where the Circular Economy Act is going. And probably we can also get an update on the calendar so that we are best informed as committee. And then we can also ask questions. And I welcome very much the Commission representative Stefano Sotto, head of unit for a Sustainable Products and textiles from DG grow. And you have seven minutes. Welcome.”
  Circular economy
• 2026-07-14 “Now, you made me curious of what you learned, but let's discuss that later. Okay, great. So we start with voting and we start with compromised one by show of hands. Who's in favor? Who's against abstentions? Adopted. We go to compromise. Two, who was in favor. Who's against abstentions. Adopted. We go to compromise. Three, who's in favor against abstentions? Adopted. We go to compromise. Four who's in favor against abstentions? Adopted. We go to compromise five. Who is in favor against abstentions? Adopted. We go to the final vote by roll call. I open the vote. You vote, you just. Your vote doesn't work. Oh, shit. One second. So let's not close the vote. Could you check this from a technical perspective? Is it working now? Can we repeat the vote, or is it not possible? So sorry. We break off the vote and restart the vote again. Probably. Then it will be working. So we close the vote. I open the vote again.”
  EU political integration
• 2026-07-14 “Okay. So we add it in the minutes that you abstain. But it's of course not good that your voting machine is not working. Let's hopefully try that. You can solve it for the next votes. Yeah. Sorry, sorry. And the result? Sorry. 34 in favor, 13 abstentions and three minus. Congratulations. I'm so sorry, I was. Okay, now we come to the next vote on the draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation suspending the application of the rules on the appointment of an authorised representative for extended producer, responsibility for batteries and waste batteries and packaging and packaging waste. Our rapporteur for the opinion is Klara Dostalova. And she's not here, so I would not give her the floor. And we would basically directly proceed to the vote. So we start with a draft opinion p a and one. They're identical. So the first vote will be won by roll call. Vote. I open the vote. I close the vote. Yeah. So this is not adopted. That means we proceed with the vote and start with compromise. One who is in favor. No one compromise. One who's in favor. Who's against. Abstentions. Rejected. That means we now vote on compromise one a. Who's in favor against abstentions? This is adopted very clearly. That means we go to compromise two a. Who is in favor? Who's against abstentions? Let's check that. I open the vote. And this is rejected with 29 against one second. So now we go to two B who is in favor against abstentions. Let's check. I open the vote. I close the vote. This is adopted. That means. That means we go to the final vote. So there was a lot of like if that go that. But now we go to the final vote by roll call. I open the vote. One one person is missing. Everyone has to vote. I close the vote. And that means it is not adopted.”
  Sustainability of batteries regulation
• 2026-07-14 “Thank you so much. I put myself on the agenda. I don't see you guys. No. So yeah, like my two colleagues, I'm very happy that the first report of the commission also shows that the law is a success. And I guess everyone who also campaigned in the European elections can, can confirm it. It's a consumer topic that a lot of people noticed from the European Union, and that doesn't always happen. So that's very good, not only for consumer convenience, but of course also for the environment. And similarly to Alex, I'm also wondering about the extension to other categories and what your plans are there. And as you probably remember in the negotiations, we also had big discussions on the obligatory unbundling to even increase the environmental impact. And I wonder if you have some data on it. So is it still that because now consumers can decide, so is it still that consumers ask a lot to have the cable directly with it, or is there also any data that shows, okay, probably the unbundling, the obligatory unbundling could make sense. It's my question to you. And if no other member wants to come in and give the floor back to the commission.”
  Radio equipment (common charger)
• 2026-07-14 “So for the Imco side, we were informed that for PFE, Rocha and Martin Frias will be substituted by Mirella Boras Habon. For renew, Svenja Hahn will be substituted by Engen Ergolu. Janet Balliou substituted by Michaer Wietzek. Santro Gossi substituted by Katri Columni, and for Queen's IFA, David Comeau will be substituted by Krzysna Guada. So did we check everyone? Anybody else? No. That's great. That means we can proceed to the vote. We do a quick test vote to see if everything is working and if your machines are fine, so I open the vote for a test vote. It doesn't work? Can you Can can you open and close the vote again just to check? Because there's a problem. Okay. No. Can you No. No. I restarted. I restarted this way. Okay. So now it's working, Catherine? Yep. Good. Okay. Anybody has any problems? No. Great. That means we can now proceed to the vote, and we vote on the outcome of the institutional agreement, negotiations, and, we vote by roll call vote. I open the vote. I close the vote. So adopted with 84 people in favor to abstention 6, against. Congratulations. Great. This concludes our joint voting session, and the MCO members will stay here and continue voting.”
  EU political integration
• 2026-07-14 “I can share a lot what the colleagues have said, and also a lot of the goals you mentioned. I mean, for me, circular economy is really a no brainer. It's the economy of the future. It helps our sovereignty, it helps our CO2 emissions and the reducing the footprint, the material footprint. And it can also create. And it is already creating new jobs. But of course, if you look at the numbers, I mean, it depends which study you take. But there's we at the moment, probably in a 10% rate of circular economy. When you look at where we stand and this is very, very low unfortunately. So I have the feeling, I mean, phrasing it more positively, there's a lot of potential. And the Circular Economy Act hopefully will unlock this potential if well done. This is also what some of the colleagues have said. So probably my first plea is just to have really something a bit ambitious that you come up with, something that will really uptake the circular economy in the European Union. And a little bit, the more specific questions when you look at the SPR schemes and the harmonization, how do you want to make sure and Elizabeth actually talked about it, that it's no race to the bottom because there is also well-functioning systems. Other member states have not so well-functioning systems. So how do you want to harmonise and not destroy the well-functioning stuff? And are you also looking at eco modulation? Because, of course, this is also what a lot of you know, companies tell us who are sustainable that they need eco modulation in order to really also have an advantage or like a fair competition with the other companies. And are you also looking or preparing overall targets? I mean, I know there's a big discussion if targets really make sense, but nevertheless, I have the feeling it is also clear incentive or like investment signal and a clear roadmap. If you put concrete like circular economy or recycling or whatever circular targets in, in the law, these were my questions. So I give you the floor back for replying.”
  Circular economy
• 2026-07-14 “Thank you so much also for being here and also answering to some of our questions. And also, of course, giving the perspective of the AI efforts on this important matter. So thanks again to our external guest from from New York, Mr. Greenberg, for participating. And of course, also to all the members that raised questions and concerns. I think it was a very important debate. This concludes agenda item nine, and we come to agenda item ten. One of our hits, the common charger that we did in the last term. Where. Yeah. Alex Saliba was the rapporteur. And we now, as we announced also at the beginning of the term, want to have more scrutiny sessions to also check how the commission is actually implementing our legislation and to see what effect our legislation has. So it's very important that we today focus on the Commission's report on the Common Charter Directive and see what the results are and what probably also what the gaps are. We first have the commission and then we have our, our rapporteur and of course, then also members can come in and ask questions and take the floor. And for the commission I welcome Anna Xavier, head of unit from DG grow, to present the report. Welcome. Hi.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-07-14 “Sorry. Thank you so much. So as I said, we start with the draft opinion. And again by show of hands compromise one who's in favor, who's against abstentions adopted. We go to compromise. Two who's in favor. Who's against abstentions. Adopted. We go to compromise. Three who's in favor? Who's against Abstentions. Adopted. We go to the final vote by roll call. Vote? I open the vote. I close the vote. 41 in favor, five against abstentions. Congratulations. It's adopted. And now we go to the budgetary amendments for the 27 draft budget. And we vote all the budgetary amendments one by one by show of hands. We start with number one, who's in favor? Who's against abstentions? Adopted. We go to number two. Who's in favor? Who's against abstentions? Adopted. Number three, who's in favor? Who's against abstentions. Adopted number four, who's in favor? Who's against abstentions. Adopted number five, who's in favor? Who's against abstentions. Adopted number six. Who's in favor against abstentions. Adopted number seven in favor against abstentions. Adopted number eight was in favor. Was against abstentions. Adopted. Number nine was in favor, was against abstentions. Probably. Let's check that because that was not so clear. I opened the vote. I close the vote. Okay. Adopted. Very well. Number ten. Who's in favor? Who's against abstentions? I think there was a clear majority adopted. Thank you so much. That concludes the budget votes. And now we have still some voting on the provisional agreements resulting from inter-institutional agreements, negotiations from the omnibus for. So two files I give the floor to the rapporteur, First to range from Lanzarote.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-07-14 “Good afternoon, dear colleagues. Let's start our joint AMPL Inco meeting. So probably you can sit down and be a little bit more quiet. Thank you so much. Great. So, again, welcome to our joint AMPL InCom meeting. If there's no remarks, the agenda is adopted. There is interpretation available. You have all received an email and can check which languages are there, and the meeting is being web streamed. So now we come to the approval of the minutes. Unless there are any adverse remarks until the end of the meeting, the minutes of the AMPLIMCO committee meeting of the 09/08/2025 will be considered adopted. And now I hand over to my EMPL colleague.”
  Activities of EU Ombudsman
• 2026-07-14 “Thank you so much for. Thank you very much. Also, thank you for being here with us online today. Well, maybe along the same lines as Mr. Cutting. I'm wondering if you would sit in in our chairs here in the European Parliament, wouldn't you then consider, I mean, whether it makes sense for us to to use entropic entropic business model because at one hand it creates kind of a dependency on you. And at the same time, we would also generate a lot of growth and a lot of data for entropic. So wouldn't you recommend us that it's better for you to try to develop our own systems rather than using yours in order to have a strategic independence, but also in order to keep the economic value here in EU. If you were here with us, would that be your consideration? Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-07-14 “So, in line with the coordinators decision of 24th of June, these corrigenda shall be deemed to be approved. If no objection is made by a political group, or at least three members, before the end of this committee meeting, and the text has been made available to all members under the Emitting Documents web page and pursuing rule 251, paragraph four of the Rules of Procedure. The Corrigendum will then be announced in plenary at the upcoming plenary session before its publication in the official journal, so I hope everyone listened carefully to that. We don't have any approval of minutes and can then directly come to our voting sessions. We have different, different files. But I hope it will be more or less smooth. So we start with the single market and customs program for the period 28 to 34. So one of the MF files where our rapporteur is Mr. de you know that there have been 209 amendments tabled, five compromise amendments have been formulated. And we will now vote on the final outcome. Before we vote, I give the floor to the rapporteur for to two minutes.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-07-14 “Okay, dear colleagues, I have the feeling everyone from ample has left the room so the members could sit down again so we can start our meeting. And as you know, we are also starting with a voting session. But before I have some chairs announcements. So first of all, let's adopt the agenda. If there's no remarks, the agenda is adopted. My chair's announcements are the usual ones. So the interpretation is available by a lot of different languages. And you have received an email with which languages are available. The meeting is being web streamed. You need your voting cards, but I think by now we know that there's a new edition of the newsletter of the committee online. And this is very important. I have some corrigenda. So today the committee is called to endorse two corrigenda regarding the regulation 2024 1028 on Short Term Rentals and Directive 2023 2225 on credit arrangements for consumers, the so-called Consumer Credit Directive. Attention is drawn to the need to correct the below errors. One error in article ten one of regulation 24 1028 on short term rentals and four errors in the directive 232225 on credit arrangements for consumers.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• 2026-07-07 “Thank you, Commissioner. Dear colleagues. Today we're going to be voting on the modernisation of the EU Mexico trade agreement. I'm going to be voting in favour, but with a slightly heavy heart. In a world, yes. Where we have Donald Trump in the white House who is pursuing an erratic trade policy, and China plays with unfair rules. We do need new partners. And yes, Mexico, under President Sheinbaum, is such a trusted partner. She heads a government which stands for multilateralism, democracy, social justice, and decided protection of the environment. These are values which are more important than ever. And I do very much welcome a closer cooperation with Mexico. And I'm very much in favour of the improvements that will bring around modernisation in the areas of sustainability and the fight against corruption. But to be fair to the truth, one would also have to say that this agreement is far from being a perfect agreement. There isn't an actionable sustainability chapter, which makes it toothless. And it means that the same goes for investment protection. And we've seen that this kind of investment protection doesn't meet the requirements of our parliament. These outdated clauses mean that those who invest in fossil fuels have disproportionately too much power, and especially the possibility to fight ambitious environmental, climate, climate change measures before the international courts. And these this mechanism, these mechanisms that are being perpetuated right in the middle of a climate crisis under heat wave, which has cost thousands of people their lives in Europe, then the commission is still not able to craft together trade policy and climate protection. This has to change. And I very much expect other commission that when we have the review after the year, after the entry into force in a year's time, that they will do something to strengthen environmental labor relations in.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you so much. Any other quick follow up question? If that's not the case, then this concludes agenda item 24. Thanks so much. I think it's very interesting. I mean, we'll follow up on the individual files anyhow, and probably can have another assessment in a couple of months of where we stand. But a lot of success on this. And with that, we come to our last agenda item of today, the presentation of the technological sovereignty package. You have all seen that the Commission presented the package a couple of weeks ago. And of course, as Imco Committee, we are also very interested anyhow, because we are the digital committee and work on all the digital files, but also we are working on the Industrial Accelerator Act. And also here there is, of course, the idea of having more made in Europe and strengthening European industry. So the tech sovereignty package is in my mind a little bit the the twin or like the sister of the IAA, but in digital. And we are happy that we have the commission here to present the package. And then afterwards you can ask questions and put remarks forward as usual. So I welcome Gillian Cross, director for emerging and enabling technologies. Technologies at DG connect.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you so much. So we have our votes at 930 and I suggest we do a short break because not all the members are yet here. So we start the votes at 930. Okay, dear colleagues, let's start with our voting session. I have the feeling most of the groups are complete and we have one vote on our agenda. It is item 20 institutional Aspects of Artificial intelligence in the context of European integration. It's a draft opinion to an initiative report. Our rapporteur is Giorgio Pipera. And before we go to the votes, I want to give the rapporteur the floor.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• 2026-06-25 “Yeah. Thank you very much for the presentation and also for the explanation. And also we see again that procurement is one of the main pillars. So that's why also we as Imco committee expect that we will be one of the leading files on this, uh, on of the leading committees on that file. So I have already some members who asked for the floor. We start with Crystal.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “You can do it for all the groups and. And the commission is now here. Okay. Um, welcome. I had announced you already, but I now do it again. So I welcome very much Carolina da Cunha, deputy head of unit for circular economy secondary raw materials from DG envy. Welcome. Yes. Thank you very much and good.”
  Circular economy
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. And also for jumping in. We can try to do the round of shadows, but I have also my doubts. Is there anybody who wants to speak from, for example, EPP or Sandy or anybody else on the file?”
  EU political integration
• 2026-06-25 “Okay, dear colleagues, I suggest we continue with agenda item 21, the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 27. All sections. This is, of course, as you know, a yearly exercise. Obviously, we are doing an opinion um to the batch file. And the rapporteur for our opinion is Pyotr Mueller. And today we have the opportunity to discuss the draft opinion. So I give the floor to the rapporteur.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-06-25 “I wonder why did you not just also, for sake of clarity and less EU laws, because everyone talks about simplification, put the digital aspects in the air because I know that was discussed at the beginning. And also the IAEA has very, very clear thresholds that I don't see in the cloud and I Development Act, where it is a little bit more complicated and so on. So in the A we say clear thresholds for made in Europe. Um and the same could have been done for the digital. And I wonder why you did a separate law, why you didn't include it in the IAEA and why you um, diluted the threshold so much like a lot of the colleagues have already asked. So with that, I give you back the floor to answer. Mr. Gross and yeah, looking forward.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you so much. So I think it was not being translated. So I tried to translate very quickly. So the main problem he wants to reiterate is that they don't have any access to data. So they cannot see the patterns. And that's why they cannot really do a risk based control. And of course, a product by product based control is not possible because it's too much. It's a tsunami of products. So they need a better access to data. And he also basically said, um, there needs to be a shift in mindset because most of the companies for them, they just make business with illegal products because there's so little chance that they will be caught, that there is no deterrence mechanism or anything. So all the companies, just a lot of companies just base their business model on illegal products. And we have to have a shift in our thinking and understand that. And only then we can really work on the solutions. Um, I give the floor back to the commission.”
  EU policy on customs fee on non-EU imports
• 2026-06-25 “Um, so now for the Greens. Um, I also want to thank the rapporteur for the draft opinion and all your work. I think we all agree that next year's budget is the final budget in the current MFF, and as such will be the bridging to the next multiannual budget funding also for the single market related policies. So we need to make sure that the next year's EU budget contributes strongly to better functioning of the single market and customs, but also that it will ensure strong support to use just and digital transitions and sustainability, that it will strengthen protection of our consumers, and that it will provide adequate support to the citizens and companies in order to be able to benefit fully from the single market. And in this sense, um, we as Greens will table our amendments to the opinion, but also budgetary amendments aiming to reinforce the financial allocations in the EU budget. For these priorities, we propose targeted top ups for customs, consumer protections, market surveillance, the standardisation process for the SMEs, and single market governance tools. So thanks again. Um, and looking forward to the cooperation. I think for the left and s n no. One and the commission is also not here. Correct? Or is anybody from the commission here? No. Then I give the floor back to the rapporteur, please.”
  Size of EU budget
• 2026-06-25 “Perfect. No, actually, we can now continue because everyone is already here. Everyone is connected online. That's great. So we can continue directly with agenda item 23. Um, you know that the committee is doing a regular exchange of views on, um, illegal and dangerous products entering the single market where we invite regularly, um, for example, different companies to scrutinise them, the commission. And now I'm very happy that we have, um, from basically the ground, uh, market surveillance authorities here who explain us how their work is actually being conducted, but also from their perspective, how they are dealing with this huge influx of dangerous products from, for example, third countries and that are not complying with our standards. So I, um, I'm very happy that we have a guest from the Italian Market Surveillance Authority, Miss Nadja Sozio, director from the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs, Market and Markets Division two Technical Regulations, Product Safety and conformity, product and service quality. I'm also happy that we have also a guest from the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action here and from the European Commission. Felicia Stoica, Head of Unit Market Surveillance from DG grow. So we start with the guest from Italy. I give the floor to Nadja Sozio for seven minutes.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. Um, then I put myself on the agenda. You, um, I would be also interested in one of the specific terrible events because I mean, with some of the members, we discussed a lot on territorial supply chain constraints. There's one action point in probably you can say a little bit where we stand here, and I would be also interested in the recognition of professional qualifications. So you will basically also make a new legislative proposal to address the challenges or not. This would be my question and probably more on a bigger philosophical question. I was just again in the US and of course in the USA. They have also very, very fragmented laws like a lot of the states do. Different laws. Um, and I wonder a little bit how come there is never like this single market discussion in the US, but we have it so much in the EU. So you understand my question. Yeah. Thanks.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you so much. If there's no further questions, this concludes the session or the exchange of views on illegal and dangerous products. The exchange with our market surveillance authorities. Thanks so much for our guests from the member states. I think it was very, very helpful to have also the very concrete insight from what you're doing on the ground and what your challenges are. And I think also, we take your concerns very seriously and are working on, as you heard, several reforms, in order to strengthen market surveillance capacity in order to make sure that there's less or hopefully at some point, no illegal and dangerous product anymore coming in. So this concludes the agenda item 23. And we come to agenda item 24, tackling single market barriers, the terrible ten. So you are all aware of the fact that the Commission published last year, the single market strategy, where they also identified the biggest or I don't know, about ten obstacles that are very concrete in the single market that are of horizontal nature and that we want or we need to overcome. And we thought also together with the commission, it's nice that after one year, more or less after the report has come out, and after the commission is also really working on addressing these terrible tenants to see where we stand. Especially also regarding the member states, because as we see several times, I mean, Andreas Schwab mentioned it yesterday again, um, when we talked about the, the declaration that often also the member states have their own, um, obstacles in place and they like to keep them that way. So we are also very interested in hearing a little bit where the commission stands with implementing the single market strategy and addressing the terrible ten and especially also vis a vis the member states in their homework that they have to do. So I'm happy that we have from the Commission, Mr. Arvydas Stein, sorry. I hope I pronounce the name correctly. Head of unit from the Barrier Removal Unit and DG grow. And you have the floor for seven minutes. Welcome.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-06-25 “Oh, you've got a very interesting name. I was a little bit confused because the because it said because we've got a minister president with that name. But that was a great presentation. We go to our next speaker from the commission. I welcome Felicia Stoica, head of unit market surveillance from DG grow.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “21 we come to agenda item 22, suspending the application of the rules and appointment of an authorised representative for extending producer responsibility for batteries and waste batteries and packaging and packaging waste. So this is also part of this omnibus package thing we are doing as Imco Committee an opinion. Under rule 57, the rapporteur in envy is Ingeborg from the EPP. 36 amendments were tabled to the draft opinion and the vote in Imco scheduled for the 14th of July. So our next session. So we today can talk about the amendments and compromise amendments. The rapporteur for the opinion is Clara Dostalova from PFC, but I think she cannot be here today. And also Mr. Zacarias will replace her. So I give you the floor. So could you present. The intervention of Mr. Oliver? Mr.. Could you start? Yes. Can the groups.”
  Sustainability of batteries regulation
• 2026-06-25 “I want to come in or not? No, probably. I have one question to the representative from from Germany. Um, so because you didn't have so much time, but actually we still have a little bit of time. Could you elaborate a little bit also more on your proposals for solutions and probably identify also on some of them? We are working already and the commission mentioned it. And for example, with the authorized representative and also with the customs reform, we actually will increase the access to customs data also for market surveillance authority. So I think some of the proposals will be addressed. But where do you still see gaps. That would be my question. Um and with that I give the floor back to the panelists. So we start with probably um Miss Switzer from Italy.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “Yeah, or if you want, I give the floor to the commission. Then you have more time. Yeah. Perfect. Then I give the floor to the commission, and, uh, probably the groups can distribute a little bit when there are rapporteurs. And shadows are not here. So I give the floor to the commission. Representative Carolina da Cunha, deputy head of unit for Circular Economy and secondary raw materials from DG ENV welcome. Yeah. Okay. Because the commission is not here either. But then I give the floor. This is a funny, uh, session today. I have to say.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-25 “Thank you very much. We do a short test vote to see if everything is fine and if enough MEPs are here. So I open the test vote. Just a test. Everyone. Has their cards and everything is working. No problems. Oh. It's not working. Do you want to try another machine or. So that means we can start. Um, so we anyhow, start by show of hands with compromise to who's in favor. Who's against abstentions. Adopted compromise three who was in favor against abstentions. Adopted compromise. One who is in favor against abstentions adopted. And now we go to the final vote by roll call. Vote. I open the vote. Close the vote adopted with 33 in favor. Five minus and one abstention. Congratulations. So this closes our voting session. We continue in one minute.”
  EU political integration
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much. And very quickly from my side, because I think it was an interesting also a combination of your two interventions. So probably to the commission, the question, uh, Mr. Lewis or Professor Lewis identified some gaps or had some concrete proposals on how to update the laws. But a new presentation, it didn't look like you were up thinking about updating the laws where you can just come in on that. Thank you so much. So first we start with Professor Lewis.”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you for the excellent overview. And I think even for me, you know, as a policymaker, I was not there in the 90s when all these laws were made. So it's a very good overview to to learn again what is in them. Some of them, of course. Ecodesign that is more recent. And thanks for the great overview and also the very concrete suggestions we now have the commission. I announced him already. Mr. Martins, welcome. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): Thank you, Madam Chair. For. For the floor and for inviting us to this very interesting workshop. Well, as several distinguished speakers already mentioned, the consumer goods have become very smart these days. So common consumer products like smartphones, smart TVs, smart watches, they all require. Next slide please. We can we can move on. Sorry. Yes. Yeah. So many common consumer goods have become smart in in these days because they rely on they are dependent on the software. And so any problem that the software of these goods also affects the functioning of these goods and the consumer experience. So consumers are suffering problems not only due to mechanical failures, but also to due to reduced functionality of their products, which are caused, for example, by missing or defective software updates or or the discontinuation of the associated digital services, which are required for properly running these and using these goods. Several EU consumer protection instruments are quite relevant in this area, so they have all been mentioned, I think, or by the previous speakers. So there are rules on transparency rules which prohibit unfair standard contract terms, unfair, unfair commercial practices, advertising, etc. all of these rules can be applied in situations when they are when they are appropriate and they can address a problem. But today I would like to focus on on the regulatory framework, which is still relatively new. It was only it was adopted in 2019 and became applicable from from the beginning of year 2022, which deals with the consumer rights in case where they smart goods or digital content or digital services are not performing as they as was provided in the contract or as they were, they could reasonably expect. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): So this is a framework that provides the consumer rights towards the sellers or providers of these products. So first we have an updated sale of goods directive, which replaced the former directive from 1999. So it applies to all sales of goods, including in particular also goods with incorporated digital elements. So the ones we are referring to normally as smart goods. And we have a completely new digital Content and Services directive which applies to, to digital products. So so it distinguishes between digital content, for example, purchases of, of audio or video titles and albums and digital service, for example, as a provision of music or video streaming subscriptions. So both these directives now specifically recognize that conformity is no longer just about physical, mechanical defects of the products, but it's also about functionality, compatibility, interoperability, and security of these products, which which really depends on the, on, on the software that is behind them that ensures their proper functioning. Next slide please. In this context, it's very important to speak about the the period during which the provider or the seller is liable to the consumer for any problems. So under the previous framework, until these two directives were adopted, we only had rules regarding the sale of physical tangible goods. And there was a two year standard legal guarantee period that was quite known to everyone. Well, there were some member states which had longer periods, but those are more more minority. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): Under this new framework, say the situation with the period of liability for the trader is more nuanced. Specifically, as regards the provision of digital content and services, the liability period was two years from the moment of supply, but it corresponds to the duration of continuous supply of digital content and service. So it can be it can be longer depending on the terms of the contracts. Under the Revised Sales of Goods Directive, we have kept the fixed period of liability, which is which remains two years across Europe unless the Member State has decided to go beyond. We distinguish between between goods, which involve a single supply of digital content or service that is incorporated in these goods, and those goods for which there is a continuous supply of of the underlying digital content or service. In the case of goods involving single supply, the liability is two years. But in case of goods involving continuous supply of digital content and services, the liability liability period can extend throughout the entire contractually agreed supply period, so this liability period can be longer. Of course, all these obligations fall on the on the seller of the good. So they do not fall directly on the manufacturer or other third parties. But um but if there is a lack of conformity that results from an act or omission of another actor in the supply chain, such as the manufacturer or the supplier of the software, the seller has a right of redress against the responsible party. And such redress actions are governed by national law. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): Next slide please. What is very important is the new update obligation that has been introduced in both directives. So under both the Digital Content Directive and sell directly to consumers must receive updates which are necessary to keep these products in conformity. This includes also Security updates so consumers will not be left without protection just because the problem originates in the software embedded in the physical product. So for goods incorporating digital content and services that is supplied under the contract just once, updates must be provided for the period that consumers may reasonably expect, considering the type and purpose of the product. When the digital content and service associated with the good is supplied continuously. The update period is two years, but it can be longer when the contract specifically provides for the provision of digital content or service for more than two years. Next slide please. This has been already mentioned. We need to put these horizontal EU consumer protection rules in the broader context, which also involves very important rules and developments regarding specific product categories in the context of EU ecodesign process. So conformity obligations under the. Directive are increasingly complemented by EU product legislation that applies directly to product manufacturers. So we already have new ecodesign requirements, for example, for smartphones and tablets, which recognise that product durability depends not only on hardware but also on continuous software support. So manufacturers must provide operating system updates for specific periods and to ensure greater probability of these devices. So the logic there is the same as in the case of consumer law. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): Frameworks or digital products should remain secure, functional and usable throughout their expected lifetime. So this is a complimentary framework that that functions parallel to EU consumer protection rules. And they they provide rights which are complimentary and benefit the consumers. Next slide please. Well, this workshop takes place at a very good time because we are we are actually working on a report to on the application and implementation of these two still relatively new EU directives. The report will be, uh, will be published in autumn 2026. So no exact date yet, but it will soon need to be decided. It will cover the transposition of these instruments in member states national law and also its application. So we have analyzed a sample of member states also in terms of application of these rules. And a number of activities to collect data on the application have been carried out interviews, stakeholder interviews, but also direct surveys of more than 1000 consumers and 900 businesses across nine member states. So these data collection has already taken place. We are currently processing the the different data and working on the report. Next slide please. Yeah. Some preliminary findings of this forthcoming report as regards smart goods. So consumer organisations and national authorities reported problems is missing and effective updates which result in reduced product functionality. Consumers in their feedback say that they are often uncertain with the lack of updates, constitutes a lack of conformity and reliability is involved, particularly in situations where the duration, scope and on conditions of updates are not clearly communicated. **Martins PRIEDITIS (European Commission – DG JUST): So there are many practical problems that have been reported when digital functionality depends on external services or software support. For example, connected household devices lose key functionalities because cloud services are no longer available and even the devices remain physically operational, they may become significant, significantly less useful once operating systems support reaches end of life. So we can say that although these two directives allow for adaptation to different technologies and products, life cycles are also problems with understanding and communicating is especially as regards the update obligation. And next slide please. The final one to conclude, it is likely that the report will will find that the rules on conformity and the new software update provisions in these directives have increased consumer rights. As regards these smart products and digital content and services, and they also contribute to longer lasting and more sustainable products. In addition, um, clearly the Ecodesign framework is very important and is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in addressing software update obligations for certain product categories. And finally, I would like to mention that in terms of transparency, we have new rules coming into application already at the end of September. So under the amendments to the Consumer Rights Directive, which were introduced by the so-called empowering consumers for the Green Transition Directive. So first, it improves the strengthened transparency requirements as regards the manufacturers extended commercial guarantees of durability. So voluntary commitments. And also it will strengthen transparency regarding minimum guaranteed periods of software updates for smart goods and digital content and services. Thank you.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
• 2026-06-24 “Then we come to number 17, which is the last agenda item for today, the Digital Networks Act, where we are doing an opinion. Our rapporteur is Mr. John Cotton, and he is the lead committee on this file. And the proposal by the Commission was presented on the 21st of January, and you have probably all seen it. The deadline for amendments is the 30th of June. So I think Miss John is connected online, so I would give her the floor to present her draft opinion.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much for the presentation and for the study. I think it's very important. I mean, the groups had asked for this study to be conducted because there was a clear demand of understanding how the enforcement works and if there's a need for a more horizontal measure. So thanks so much for for your findings. I just want to see if the members want to come in. Or if everything is clear. Pablo.”
  EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you very much. I put myself now on the list very quickly also to meta. A lot of people and my colleagues talked about the algorithm and the danger of algorithms, especially for minors. I want to get back to the data. We discussed it several times here in the in the committee, especially when we negotiate the AI, the DSA. I'm sorry. Um, and I, I get these questions a lot by, by consumers, by, by voters. So when people talk amongst friends, then all of a sudden they have the advertisement of these products they talk about in their timelines or when people Google something and then all of a sudden they have, you know, the subject they googled in their timelines as advertisement Or also what happened to me lately? I was connected with people on other platforms, and then all of a sudden I had the same exact people as kind of friends suggestions on Instagram. And I wonder how this can be so can you confirm that the platform is neither listening to what we are saying, not taking any data from Google, not taking data from any other platform that is not in the meta universe? And what are you exactly doing with our data? And this is especially, of course, also important for minors. So what is happening to the data of minors? Thank you. I think there were no more questions if I'm not mistaken. So I will give the floor back to the panel in the same order. We start with Renata Nicolai. And normally you have like two minutes. But yeah.”
  Privacy & digital economy
• 2026-06-24 “Yeah. Thank you very much. Um, now we come to jump back to point eight, the reporting back from the working group on the DMA. And I give the floor to Andreas Schwab. And also there was a agreement last night on the E declaration. And probably you can also report back from that trilogue.”
  EU rules on digital competition
• 2026-06-24 “Among other elements, the statement refers to possible additional steps to strengthen intra-eu transfers of defence related products. Consideration of EU eligibility criteria in defence procurement support for efforts to increase Europe's defence capabilities by 2030 and more broadly, the agreement reflects our shared ambition to strengthen the European defence, technological and industrial base, support SMEs, reduce procurement bottlenecks and improve access to defence supply chains across the union. This is a balanced and forward looking agreement that will help member states and industry cooperate more effectively, while contributing to a stronger and more resilient European defence framework. I would like to highlight that regional agreement was crucial in order to secure progress for the whole defence omnibus package. The Parliament was more ambitious than the council but with a mutually agreed joint statement. We also tasked the Commission to come up with further proposals for these objectives, as both co-legislators recognise that further efforts are required to reach defence readiness by 2030. So these were the words of our rapporteur, Anna-maja Henriksson, and also, of course, congratulations to her that the agreement was reached in this important file. And now we come to agenda item eight. I just saw Andreas. Normally it is a reporting back from the working group of the Digital Markets Act and we need Andreas Schwab. But if not Andreas then I just slipped out. We can start first with the working group on the DSA with Crystal demos. Thank you very much.”
  Defence spending
• 2026-06-24 “And we come to agenda item 15 establishing the Single Market and Customs program for the period 28 to 2034. Um where our rapporteur is, Mr. Dirani. And today we have the chance to talk about the compromise amendments. So 209 amendments were tabled and four draft compromise amendments have been formulated. And the vote in Imco is scheduled for the 13th, 14th of July. And as we all know, this is of course, the main and the big contribution of Imco to the MMF. The MMF discussion. So, um, we start with the rapporteur and Crystal Moses replacing him.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you very much. Catherine. You want to come in or. No. Um, because, Maria, you mentioned the right to repair can add one question. Because if I'm not completely stupid, but it's also some years ago, um, the software updates requirements were also on the right to repair so that we kind of put long where longer software updates availability in the right to repair. Um, and could this also be a solution for the future and for other products? Probably you can talk about this. So with that, I give you the floor back for answering our questions and for coming in again, I start with Professor Vanderhorst.”
  Circular economy
• 2026-06-24 “Okay. Thank you so much. I mean, like Pablo said, I mean, we will also probably can discuss how to follow up on the topic because it's indeed an important consumer related topic. So thanks so much to all the experts. The time is running up now for this workshop. And you have all the like presentations sent and they're available on the website. I think that's great. And I was informed that you also are writing or have written the three academics on paper, each of you that we can also have and study, and it will also be published. Right. So we can also look at again at the different papers and then make up our mind how we want to follow up as Imco committee. But thanks so much for this valuable inputs. It was very, very helpful. And yeah, with that, I conclude the agenda item 13, our digital ownership in the context of Consumer Rights Workshop. And I think again, of course, also the policy department for organizing. And now we come to another academic work. So our afternoon is very much enriched with facts. I think that's great. And we had a tasked a study on different legal methodologies, methodologies of enforcement of key EU digital law structures. And we also have the authors here. I welcome professor, doctor and professor Doctor Mary Rose Maguire, both from the University of Osnabrück. So we are very much looking forward to your findings. And then of course, afterwards, we also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with you. So please, the floor is yours.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
• 2026-06-24 “The price gap between mainland France and the island is particularly challenging for consumers. As highlighted in the meetings, the shipping costs can account for between 50% and 75% of the value of a basket of goods, resulting in significantly higher prices for many everyday products. At the same time, the positive impact of EU support plays a crucial role in developing infrastructure, strengthening economic resilience and creating opportunities for local business and consumers. In this regard, local stakeholders stressed the POSE program, a union initiative designed to support agriculture and food supply in the EU's outermost regions to counterbalance geographic and economic disadvantages. The delegation also gained important insights to into customs procedures, market surveillance and the practical implementation of EU rules. The experiences and concerns shared with members will be highly relevant for Imco future work, including on the Multiannual Financial framework, public procurement and customs modernization. Above all, they remind us that the single market must deliver for all Europeans, regardless of where they live, and that EU policy making must take into account the specific realities of our outermost regions. And this requires continuous dialogue between EU institutions and stakeholders on the ground to ensure effective responses to local challenges and opportunities. Finally, Nicola, the Head of Delegation, would like to thank all colleagues for their active participation as well as the Imco Secretariat and the staff of the political groups for the excellent organization, cooperation and positive spirit throughout the mission.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much. Then very quickly, um Nicola, question from Nicola believes it is important to avoid fragmentation. National approaches, risk creating complexity without necessarily improving protection. And he wants instead focus on a common European approach. He would also like to stress that we must ensure that it addresses the root of the problem, which is not children's access access itself, but harmful content and the way platforms are designed to operate. When platforms, business models and design contribute to the spread of harmful content, we must ensure that responsibility is placed where it belongs, rather than relying on a simple solution of blanket bans for children. At the same time, social media can also have positive effects for many young people. It provides connection, learning opportunities and a sense of belonging and we should preserve these benefits. So Nicola's question is how do we ensure that any future EU measures, including a possible ban on children's access to social media, do not simply push children out of regulated environments where we have mechanisms for oversight and protection towards less regulated online spaces, creating new risks while trying to solve the existing ones. That was Nicola question. And with that we go to the last round of the panel. And again, sorry, we're running a little bit late, but I think that also shows the topic is so important and interesting for a lot of members, and we just need time to discuss it. But we start now with the revised order. I don't know, um, if Mr.Cirhigiri you want to come in again or? Yeah. So you start.”
  Age restrictions on children's access to social media
• 2026-06-24 “So he asked me to report back from the second trilogue that was held on the 9th of June. So on behalf of the rapporteur, I'm pleased to report that the trilogue negotiations have successfully concluded with a balanced and ambitious agreement. This outcome is the result of excellent cooperation between all political groups, the Council presidency and the Commission. So throughout the negotiations there was a genuine, genuine, I cannot pronounce this word willingness to listen, work constructively together and find practical solutions. The final agreement delivers tangible benefits for consumers, reduces unnecessary burdens for companies, and contributes to our sustainability objectives. At the same time, it strengthens Europe's resilience by addressing a vulnerable vulnerability in our standardisation system and ensuring that in times of geopolitical uncertainty, European businesses can continue to rely on clear and predictable framework. So overall, this is a strong European compromise that delivers for consumers, for our planet, for companies and for Europe's strategic autonomy. So these are the words of the rapporteur, Reinier van Lanschot. With that we come to a next trilogue um agenda item six. It is the simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products where we had a co-lead with envy and our rapporteurs. So I want to give him the floor to report back from the last trilogue.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-24 “Great. Thank you so much to the two co-rapporteurs for concluding the file. And we come now to the reporting back from another trilogue on the simplification of intra-eu, transfers of defense related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement. It is a joint file. Our rapporteur is Anna Maria Henriksson, and she cannot be here today, and also asked me to report back from the fourth trilogue that was held on 10th of June. So I read her words. Dear colleagues, I am pleased to inform you that we reached an agreement on the Intra-eu Transference and Defence Procurement on Wednesday, the 10th of June, which is part of the overall defence Omnibus package. This agreement represents an important step towards making defence cooperation across the European Union simpler, faster and more effective. Our objectives throughout the negotiations have been clear to reduce unnecessary obstacles that hinder cooperation between member states and industry, while strengthening Europe's ability to develop and procure defence capabilities together. The agreement delivers several important improvements. It reduces administrative and regulatory barriers affecting both defence procurement and the transfer of defence related products within the EU. It introduces new general transfer licences, making cross-border cooperation easier and less burdensome for companies operating across member states. It increases transparency and predictability by requiring member states to publish these licences. It modernises procurement rules and raises the threshold for the application, helping procedures become more proportionate and efficient. It provides member states with greater flexibility when conducting occasional joint procurement projects, facilitating practical cooperation where it is most needed. In addition, Parliament and Council have agreed on a joint statement looking ahead to further measures that may be needed in the future.”
  EU competences on defence
• 2026-06-24 “Excellent. Thank you so much also for clearly distinguishing now the existing and the gaps in the second panel. I think that's good that we keep it that way. Um, so we now come to one of our guest speakers. I welcome from Mr. Hopkins, global Director of Public Policy from Instagram. Welcome.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much for being here, and thanks for your intervention. As you said, we pass on now to Hubert Gumbs, deputy director general for digital transformation, justice and Consumers. And on the panel, the expert panel was mentioned. I mean, probably you can already say if you have any specific expectations or more information on what will come out, but you don't have to cross yourself.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much. I want to know, I mean, the Parliament had asked for. If I remember well in the DSA negotiations or it was just an amendment by the Greens, I don't remember that. Sorry that we have a more independent enforcement agency. So it's not only a unit or a directorate in the commission, but a more like independent enforcement authority. Have you looked at this idea and what is your opinion on that? Any more questions? If not, I give the floor back to our experts and our guests, please.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-24 “Okay. Let's continue. I have the feeling now the relevant stakeholders that we need in the room. Um, so, uh. Amendment. No. No no. Agenda item 16, the digital omnibus data where we as Imco are doing an opinion. Our rapporteur for the opinion is Alex Saliba. The Iter and Lib are the lead committees. And the commission proposal was presented on the 19th of November in order to simplify and streamline the EU's digital data are key. The deadline for amendments is on the 8th of July, and today we actually have the opportunity to present, um, get the draft opinion presented. Sorry, I was running.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-24 “Okay. Thank you so much. So that concludes our session on on your study. But I think it was great insight. And I think all of you, all of us will, of course also look at it. Is it already online? Yeah, it's already online. Perfect. So you can also have a look. Thanks so much for being here and for drafting the study. This concludes agenda item 14. ***Establishing the Single Market and Customs Programme for the period 2028-2034 and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/444, (EU) 2021/690, (EU) 2021/785, (EU) 2021/847 and (EU) 2021/1077”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-06-24 “So, dear colleagues, welcome back to our afternoon session of the Imco Committee. Um, we have now on our agenda a workshop on digital ownership in the context of consumers consumer rights. Um, and I welcome very much the experts and the representative of the European Commission. It's great that you're participating. Also thanks to the members that are here. I think this worked for format is still a little bit new to us, but it's very interesting to get a little bit deeper into a topic and have, um, yeah, a more thorough conversation with experts that in a hearing where it's always very big and very short time. So I think that's great. Thanks for the policy department for organizing it. A great job. And you're also here in the panel. Thanks so much. So we have, um, as you have probably seen in the program, two panels. One panel is called do consumers still own what they buy ownership 2.0. And then we have a second panel on making consumer rights work tool for digital markets. So, um, on each panel we have two experts and then the members can usually come afterwards. And if you have questions or remarks. So, um, I welcome now the first two speakers, we start with professor Doctor Christiane Vanderhorst, professor of civil digital and consumer law and director of the Institute for Innovation and Digitization Law at the University of Vienna. And you have a ten minute slot for your presentation. Welcome.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
• 2026-06-24 “Great. Thank you so much and a lot of success with this file. ***Digital networks, amending Regulation (EU) 2015/2120, Directive 2002/58/EC and Decision No 676/2002/EC and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/1971, Directive (EU) 2018/1972 and Decision No 243/2012/EU (Digital Networks Act)”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much to you as well for the excellent input. And now we have the time to ask questions or come in so the colleagues can just let me know. If not, I start probably I start because, I mean you mentioned the video games initiative. Of course, we had a big hearing here in this committee together with, um, Yuri and the PTA committee. And I mean, I think all of us supported the Citizens Initiative because we think, okay, it's not right that, um, computer games or video games at some point just run out and, or the license runs out, whatever. Um, but could you explain a little bit what could be the solutions to this very concrete problem? Because it's just in a lot of citizens minds. That's why I think it's a great example. Um, to make sure that they can still use video games in the future without, of course, preaching any contractual rights or copyrights or whatever from the, from the producers. Like, do you have a concrete solution for that concrete example? Because it was discussed so much in this House right now. So and I think everyone was a little bit disappointed with the commission response. So probably you can reply to that. Is there any other questions? Pablo.”
  Promotion of open-source softwares
• 2026-06-24 “Thank you so much for all of your answers to both of you. And that brings us to the second panel Making Consumer Rights Work tools for digital Markets. And here we have Professor Doctor Markopoulos, a professor of private law at the Amsterdam Center for Transformative Private Law and from the commission, Mr. Martin is deputy head of unit. Indeed, just from consumer law, from the consumer law unit. So we start with Professor Lewis. Welcome and looking forward.”
  Liability for online marketplaces
• 2026-06-24 “Yeah. Thank you very much. Um, yeah. And also from a little bit more frustrating reporting back from the trilogue. But again, a lot of member states don't want to have more single market integration at the end. That was probably not approved, although they talk about it a lot. We have one last reporting back. And that was the commission to Martinique from the 25th to 29th of May, where the head of delegation was Nicolas Minchev, our vice chair. But he cannot be here today. So he asked me to report back and I read out his words. So, dear colleagues, from the 25th to 29th of May, the Imco delegation visited Martinique with the objective to better understand how the single market works in one of the EU's outermost regions, and what possible EU measures could help to ensure fair prices, strong consumer protection and better market access. During the mission, the delegation met a wide range of stakeholders, representatives of the government and local authorities, consumer organisations, business associations, local producers and businesses, e-commerce actors and customs officials. These exchanges provided a valuable reality check on how EU legislation is experienced on the ground. While Martinique is fully part of the EU and the single market, it faces challenges that are very different from those experienced in continental Europe. Due to its remoteness and the complexities of trading with neighbouring Caribbean countries. Distance, small market size and dependence on imports have a direct impact on prices, competition and consumer choice. One issue that was repeatedly raised was the high was the high cost of living.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2026-06-15 “1 thing is clear. Trump's tariffs are illegal, and this deal shouldn't exist. Last year, we should have been stronger as the European Union. We should have been more self confident. Where were the counter tariffs? Where was the activation of the anti, the anti dumping instrument, etcetera? We should have been tougher, but we weren't. It's also extremely bad that the European Union has come up with a statement on it, the imports of LNG. I mean, our failures really have been very poor. We cannot make ourselves dependent on fossil fuel producers from The United States. Now onto the deal. It's bad that we have to have it, but given the situation, I think, it is good to try and get some kind of stability vis a vis Trump. The parliament has achieved improvements. The European Union can be tougher if the if Trump doesn't stick to the deal. But, colleagues, what's important is that the commission use this lever if Trump doesn't stick to the deal. It was extremely important for us in dialogue to get that in, and, we hope that the commission sticks to its commitments on this. In addition, we need to use the time that we currently have to you to use that time to do our homework as the European Union. We need to move away from our dependence on The US when it comes to fossil fuels and AI and computing.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Yes, thank you very much and all the best for the trilogue this week. And try to publish as much on our website to have the highest standards of transparency. And probably just to mention it here. The committee was analysed as being the most transparent committee in this Parliament by a coalition of civil society organisations. I think that's very good news. So thanks for that. We now come to our hearing on the protection of minors online.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “So, dear colleagues, thanks so much to our Vice Chair, Mr. Rapini, for taking over. But there's several votes happening at the same time in different committees. So now we start our voting session on two files. And before we do that, we do a test vote. I open the vote.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you so much also for putting us a mirror in front of our heads and showing basically what responsibility lies in our institutional background. At least in Imco Committee, we made the kind of initiative and now the Parliament is already at least represented on alternative social media channels. So that's already a step forward. But I agree with you, much more can be done. Um, and I think it's important to reflect on this as well, despite next to the legislative ideas that we're having all the time. So the next and last speaker for the first panel is Miss Frederica Cardona, director of the AI Now Institute. Welcome. You also have seven minutes.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Any year end speaker. Correct? No. So now I have seven MEPs for catch the eye and we are a little bit short of time. So I close the speakers list here so seven more people can speak. But one minute please each. Otherwise, because we still have the structured dialogue with our commissioner, we run over his time and we start with Miss Konecna. So please, one minute.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Thank you so much. I had put myself on the list and I can actually just also add to this question. I also wanted to ask you what is exactly this roadmap and what does it mean? Because also very practically, I'm thinking of course together with the committee. So how can we, as the Internal Market Committee, also contribute to the roadmap or implement the roadmap? Or what is the Parliament's role in this roadmap? So probably you can elaborate a little bit on that. I also wanted to underline what the colleague Axel Voss said. I found one figure very interesting in your report about this, 20% less exports to the US could be easily basically balanced out with 2% more internal market or something. And this is of course a figure that says it all. We would really help our economy. We would really help our businesses in strengthening the internal market and especially in these times of geopolitical hiccups. I think that was even would serve us more than 50,000 weird omnibuses. But okay, this is another question. And for me, creating the internal market has nothing to do with omnibuses. Also make this very clear. I have one very, very concrete, tiny question, but I have the feeling also when it comes to obstacles and also creating or improving or like, yeah, really creating the internal market. It's often nitty gritty things. I just met with one company in my constituency that said, basically, okay, if I just want to send a package from whatever, like Germany to Spain or to Czech Republic, I need to register every time my package for like I have to have a kind of registered authority or something for €2,000 in every country, and I could almost not believe it. And do you know this example? And are you also working on that despite the fact that it's not in the terrible ten? Thank you so much. Leila, for the left.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Yeah, thank you for the presentation. Um, for me, the starting point is that we have already quite some good and a big toolbox of defensive instruments, of trade, defence instruments. But I have the feeling we're not using them. I mean, we had here in the committee a lot the discussion on, for example, the anti coercion instrument vis a vis the US. So I wonder what your considerations are on that because I think we can have the best rules if we're not implementing them. They don't bring us so much. Um then I think for me a big cornerstone of economic security is of course, also the demand. And that we have to create also demand for our European products if we want to get in competition or have a more like autonomous supply chains. Let's put it like this. So I'm worrying a little bit the discussions that I'm reading in the press that some member states are pushing back the Buy European, um, points and that we are, um, weakening our ideas of creating and increasing European demand. Um, I also and probably it's a little bit Content related to the anti-corruption instrument. And you mentioned the Emira. Um, and that was part of the negotiation team. And I just also remember that the member states weakened everything. I mean, the parliament was almost at the end, not doing the instrument because we said, okay, having such an empty shell. Um, why do we even do it? Um, and for me, the basic conflict is still everyone talks about it. But then at the end, the member states don't want to really give also competences to the EU or to the Commission or to really have strong EU laws. And I wonder how you want to deal with that conflict. Thank you.”
  "Buy European" provisions
• “I also have the feeling if we pay out subsidies, whatever that is, you know, if it's state aid or if it's social leasing, I think it is important that also here we need to make most strategic use of our taxpayers money. Introducing also probably European preference. When we say, okay, we want that our consumers buy e-cars. Why should we subsidize Chinese e-cars I'm sorry. So I think it's also important to think about the European preference in and other financing means this I find very important. And last but not least, I am also very happy that you focus so much on circularity because it's not only a green issue, it's also a strategic independence issue because we are so highly dependent of of input material from other countries. But I looked actually at the last report, I think it was of the Joint Research Centre on the implementation of the Green Deal. And especially in circularity, we are lagging so much behind and we are not getting the numbers are not getting better at the moment. The numbers are getting worse. So I think here we really need to to speed up. Thank you so much. And with that I go to Miss Valean.”
  Chinese clean tech competition: trade barriers and investment caps vs. open market · Circular economy · "Buy European" provisions
• “Um, yes. Clearly I don't envy the commission. I think, again, no one of us wanted to be in the situation. I just want to flag in general the problem that I see, um, with the situation, because the US is just blackmailing, is just using coercion. And we are like making a deal with them, giving them basically everything what they want. So I think this is really just in general a bad precedent, I think. Of course, we don't have another option. I also see this, but I think it's also clearly, clearly a bad sign to the world that you can just use coercion. You can just use blackmailing and then getting something out of it. So from my understanding, I think we should have put the countermeasures already in place because there is already tariffs in place and I don't really understand the commission strategy to say, oh no, let's let's pause them. Because this clearly, um, is one further step to, to also destroy the international order, um, when we don't also rebalance their unlawful tariffs. Um, and I personally would not like to see us in a situation when you talked about the deadline already, when the deadline is approaching and then Trump says, ah, probably ten more days and then we still don't put the countermeasures in place.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “I think sometimes it's a problem, right, that we have a different formation of files than the council formation. So that's probably sometimes the problem. Now for Sadie Elizabeth Crossman.”
  EU political integration
• “Dear colleagues. Welcome to our joint Imco ample meeting. We agreed here that we do it the Finnish German way and start on time. Because it's already late in the afternoon. Um, if there's no remarks, the agenda is adopted. Opted. I have very few chairs announcements. There is interpretation in all EU languages available and the meeting is being streamed and you find all the documents in the meeting application. Um, and our basically only and important of course topic, uh, content topic today is the file on the public interface connected to the internal market information system for the declaration of posting of workers. Um, so the famous e declaration file today we have the chance to get the draft report being presented and of course have a first exchange of view on the. So I welcome the ample but also the Imco members and also the Commission, the European Economic and Social committee representatives, Business Europe and also Etuc. Um, and it's great that you also will be participating at the meeting. So probably just to quickly recall the relevance and the importance of this proposal, because it is aimed at reducing administrative burdens for business and national competent authorities, and make it easier for member States to carry out effective and adequate inspections. So, um, with that, I hand it over to my dear ample co-chair.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
• “Thank you chair. I just want to mention it again because I think it does not seem clear to everyone here in the room. Of course, Trump and his administration is starting the trade war. It sounds a little bit like the commission is doing it. And of course, this is complete nonsense. I'm sorry the commission tried to negotiate, and of course we have to retaliate. And of course we have to retaliate in states where Republicans are hit most, because it's not the Democrats starting the trade war, it's the Republicans. It's the Republican administration. And I think we as Greens are really supporting the commission's approach of being always open to negotiation, of trying a cooperative approach. But I'm sorry if the cooperative approach is not working, then of course, we also have to show our teeth because it's the only language that this Trump administration is basically understanding. And I want it to be also very clear here. We need as European Union to retaliate, if necessary, in appropriate way. And this is what the Commission is doing. But we also, of course, need to be crystal clear that when it comes to our regulation, our tech regulation, for example, that we will not move one centimetre because we are sovereign as European Union, and we cannot be blackmailed by terrorists from another country to change our own legislation.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you so much for the interesting presentation and the numbers. I would say this is definitely very important for all the processes that we are just working on, like the customs reform, and now we have the chance for the members to take the floor. Just let me know if you want to speak. And you have already. Sorry. First we have Andreas Schwab and then Saska. Sorry.”
  EU policy on custom fee on non-EU imports
• “Thank you so much. Unfortunately, I can confirm in the last term I had the feeling there were always MEPs there, like from all political groups. And this term it's a little bit less um, also in the investment monitoring group. So yeah, if groups could send the MEPs would be amazing. Um, because we are following the very important multilateral investment court negotiations and probably all of you. But band you probably most remember that it also basically started because the Parliament was upset about the ISDs and how international private tribunals have a lot of power. Um, and we wanted we also asked the commission to create something else, something else that is more, um, according to the rule of law principles, but also to our political standards. And I'm happy that the negotiations are going on, that also, the Commission is putting so much effort in it and regularly coming to the monitoring group to report. So last time, um, we met on the 2nd of October and um, yeah, DG trade gave us an overview of the state of play of the various reforms tackled within the reform of the ISDs. For example, the Uncitral Code of Conduct for arbitrators, Code of Conduct for Judges and Guidelines on Mediation were adopted in 2003, so the draft statute on the Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution was adopted in July 2004. The Toolkit on dispute Prevention and Mitigations. The tools. These are the tools to assist states to prevent and mitigate international investment disputes, was adopted in 2005 and again discussions are ongoing on the Multilateral Investment Court. So here, um. The discussions are going in the right direction. We got the information from the Commission on, for example, the first instance and appeal, um, tribunals on different legal documents like the statutes and the exclusive jurisdiction, um, in as many cases as possible on the specific features resembling a traditional international court On sufficient flexibilities to allow the system to evolve and eventually extend the jurisdiction.”
  EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• “I think here the commission could be still a little bit more clearer in public statements. And one more thing. I also think we need a little bit more offensive lines also because we are otherwise always reacting, always in the defensive line. And I think, for example, putting on the table again an EU digital tax that will also, you know, hurt some of the biggest tariff fans and Trump fans in the US quite hard. It could be an option. And then thirdly, I think we need to also make sure that deviation effects from the tariffs that Trump is unrightfully putting in place will also not hurt our industry. And then I have a question to Mr. Sefcovic. Why basically did you delay the first steel and aluminum safeguards reaction. And is the reform that is upcoming really enough to safeguard the industry in Europe? I also wanted to know where the money of the Counter-terrorists will go. Will it also go to the industry that is basically hurt? And also, to get back to Ben's question, make sure that we keep the unity in Europe and that we don't suffer from individual sectors. Then lobbying against the counter-terrorist. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “This is not really, but no problem. We can discuss everything in the Internal Market Committee. We have time for like 2 or 3 more MEPs if you want to come in. I would probably get back to you. Now, you're not listening. I would get back to you again on this question. Sorry that I'm so much insisting on this roadmap, but is it like a law? Is it several legislative initiatives, or is it more like a communication like probably you can just explain a little bit and how should the Parliament commit to it? I would be really interested in knowing this. So now, I mean, just double checking if there's any other person wanting to come in. Maria.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you very much for jumping in. Now it is my turn for the greens. So of course I also want to thank the rapporteur. It's always very difficult to draft these compromises, especially when there are groups that have different views. But of course at some point we need to see the avenue and find some landing zones. So for me and for my group, it is very important that the EDI guides the commission. That's what we all want as parliament. Um, and that the EU also stresses what public procurement should achieve. So me and my group, we strongly advocate in favour of building on successful approaches by member States who consider public procurement as investment. And there is a lot of examples already. So investments made with public money, all of our money, taxpayers money should therefore benefit the public, the workers and the environment. I see, and this is already good, a broad agreement in favour of simplification reflected in the compromise amendments. But for me the two items go hand in hand. I want to stress it again and still I find the language very heavy handed. Um, for me at the moment, the problem is the current compromise amendments do not yet adequately offer solutions on how to simplify.”
  EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding
• “Thank you so much. Any other member wants to come in? If this is not the case, then I would welcome the commission. Also a well known guest here in this company, Irina Özge from DG connect. Sorry, I hope I pronounce your name correctly, but. **Irina ORSSICH (European Commission – DG CONNECT): Thank you very much. That was a very kind welcome. So thank you very much also for the opportunity to comment on this opinion and the amendments. Um, we do agree indeed that it is important to respect all the existing rules. And we would just like to recall that the AI act enters into application in a staged approach, which means that some of the points mentioned also the law is there, but it will be enforced as of soon. And that indeed might also already approach some of the issues mentioned. Um, we very much agree, you know, that to the opportunities of AI. And this is also a policy the Commission is actively pursuing. You might know that the AI office we are building up consists now of six units, and four of them are really focusing on the opportunities of the AI and trying to build up the structures for Europe. There are also a number of other units and DG connect and in the Commission and sovereignty is currently also for us, one of one very important topic that we are tackling and hopefully we will continue tackling it together with you. Um, and that context and also in the legal context, indeed, coordination is absolutely key. And the other thing, which I always find key is literacy. You mentioned. So it is clear that everybody needs to have the opportunity to get the necessary skills, but indeed also the necessary understanding of AI and what is happening to us, to our societies, to our democracy. Um, last point very quick, um, you are and we are also working on international governance. We know that the exchanges are key and we did have a very close cooperation with the safety institutes. We are very active in a number of multilateral fora. We have many bilateral contacts and we hope we will be able to intensify this further.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “I had myself on the speakers list, and I just have a very brief question to the rapporteur, because I remember that at the beginning you wanted that the Commission withdraws the proposal. What made you change your mind? Just I wanted to know this. And now the last one is Andreas.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Good morning, dear colleagues. Welcome to our session. We have a very exciting agenda today with two different commissioners, as you know. Um, so you have all seen the agenda. If there's no remarks, the agenda is adopted. I have some announcements. Interpretation is available. And you had received an email. Which languages are there? And we have, I think everything available except for Gaelic. The meeting is being web streamed and you find the documents in the meeting application. We have um votes, um for example today at ten. So you need your voting cards. There is also a new version of the newsletter available. And then there is also an announcement regarding the coordinators decision regarding a delegated act. So by written procedure the Imco coordinators decided on the 12th of May not to object to the Commission delegated regulation on the temporary three €3 customs duty on distance sales of imported goods, concluding that the Commission had not exceeded its delegated powers. So with that, we still have the approval of the minutes unless any adverse remarks are received by the end of the meeting, the minutes of the Imco committee meeting of 15th and 16th of April will be considered adopted. Now we have two reporting back from several trials that are going on. Trilogue time is is again, very much very busy. And we first have the acceleration of permit granting for defence readiness projects, where our core rapporteur is Henrik Dahl. Please.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you so much. Any other member who wants to come in? If this is not the case then I give the floor back to Renata. Oh sorry sorry. Oh sorry sorry sorry was it late? **Katarina BARLEY && Yes sorry. The only question that I would like to add is a simple one as we have high high risk applications and we need the companies themselves to to make the. So I'm going to speak German. I'm a bit tired. The businesses themselves have to work out whether something is a high risk application. What are people's views on whether this is going to be a successful way to address the concerns successfully?”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “The EU has done its part. We now expect full reciprocity. We must continue to closely monitor the practical effects on businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland, particularly regarding parcel flows and product availability. Fifth point digital cooperation and consumer protection the EU UK cooperation on digital regulation must become more structured and institutionalised. The key proposal is the establishment of an EU, UK Artificial Artificial Intelligence Forum to foster innovation while upholding strong safety and ethical standards. Information sharing between enforcement authorities must be strengthened, especially concerning dangerous products sold online. The aim is to maintain a high level of consumer protection, address unfair commercial practices and build trust in cross-border digital commerce. The sixth and last point is the monitoring and regulatory divergence. Systematic regulatory divergence would undermine the level playing field commitments, particularly in areas such as environment, taxation, data protection, and state aid. The Commission must provide early warning mechanisms and clear annual reports to inform Parliament, and we have to have a particular focus on Northern Ireland, where unmanaged divergence could create real trade barriers. So these are the points of our rapporteur, Sandro Gorcey. And now we have the opportunities for the shadows. We start with the EPP.”
  EU-UK data transfer