13 Feb 2025
by Theo Maiziere

EU Commission Publishes its Work Programme for 2025

What is the EU Commission work programme

Each year, the Commission establishes its annual work programme, detailing the most significant new policy and legislative initiatives planned for the upcoming year.

Based on the Commission's work program and the priorities set by other institutions, the Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council collaborate to create a Joint Declaration on the EU's legislative priorities for 2025 and Joint Conclusions on priorities for the term.

Competitiveness and Simplification

The Commission objectives to boost competitiveness and simplify various pieces of legislation, as showcased in the Commission’s unveiling of its Competitiveness compass remain present in these newly released plans for 2025 aim.

 Indeed, the Commission will be working on 51 New Policy initiatives, out of which there are 18 legislative initiatives. More than half of the legislative initiatives will have a simplification objective/dimension. The Commission also plans on withdrawing 37, repeal 4, and conduct 37 evaluations to stress test EU legislation in order to identify potential areas of simplification and cost reduction.

Work Programme Contents

The work pogramme categorises new initiatives under 7 main categories:

  • A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness
  • A new era for European Defence and Security
  • Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model
  • Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature
  • Protecting our democracy, upholding our values
  • A global Europe: Leveraging our power and partnerships
  • Delivering together and preparing our Union for the future

Within those the following announced initiatives directly touch upon tech and digital issues:

  • Digital Package (Q4 2025)
  • Digital Networks Act (Q4 2025)
  • AI Continent Action Plan (Q1 2025)
  • Quantum Strategy of EU (Q2 2025)
  • EU Space Act (Q2 2025)
  • Bioeconomy Strategy (Q4 2025)

The Commission highlights the “Digital Package” as one of the initiatives aimed at simplifying rules in order to boost competitiveness.

The EU Commission also indicates it will conduct a “fitness check on the legislative acquis in the digital policy area” by Q4 2025.

Quite importantly the Commission has also withdrawn the AI liability legislation proposal, and the ePrivacy Regulation proposal.

What does it mean

These initiatives announcements, which include multiple Omnibus simplification packages bound to have a wide impact on a variety of field, showcase the EU Commission’s current commitment to boost competitiveness, simplify rules, and ensure effective implementation. We will now need to monitor these upcoming developments to better understand their potential impacts on techUK members.


If members have any views or questions, please reach out to [email protected] 

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.

Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.

Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.

Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam. 

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/théophile-maiziere-a32772111

Read lessmore


techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities

techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.

 

 

Upcoming events

Latest news and insights 

Learn more and get involved

 

International Policy and Trade updates

Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our International Policy and Trade programme.

 

Here are the five reasons to join the International Policy and Trade Programme

Download

Join techUK groups

techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

Learn more

Become a techUK member

Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.

Learn more

Meet the team 

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

 

 

Authors

Theo Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK