News, Publications and Consultations from the Past Week
News CW 46 (11.11.2024 – 17.11.2024)
General-purpose AI guidelines: The EU’s first draft for general-purpose AI includes strict testing and risk mitigation plans to minimise systemic risks from models like ChatGPT. Despite concerns from industry and civil society, the code could serve as a global standard. Small companies are to be exempt from some requirements, while larger providers will have to disclose detailed information about their models. (Euractiv)​
AI Code of Conduct and independent experts: The EU Commission has delegated the creation of an AI Code of Conduct to 13 independent experts. These experts must consider transparency and security standards, as well as the interests of numerous stakeholders. However, critics have raised concerns about a lack of transparency and influence by industry. (Euractiv)​
Digital platform for declaring posted workers: The EU is planning a central digital platform to simplify the registration process for posted workers. This will save companies time and reduce administrative burdens while enhancing cooperation between Member States and the protection of workers. The use of the portal will remain voluntary for Member States. (European Commission)​
Tech sovereignty and a new EU tech leadership: As EU’s tech chief, Henna Virkkunen is set to take over a hefty role such as enforcing rules against Big Tech and promoting European technology. She is under pressure to reduce Europe’s dependence on the US and China and to promote innovation in areas such as AI and chips. Critics question her close ties to industry. (Politico)​
Connectivity Union for Europe: Mario Draghi calls for a “Connectivity Union” to enhance Europe’s digital infrastructure and secure its competitiveness. Poor 5G coverage and fragmented regulations are hindering innovation and economic growth. Harmonised standards and targeted investments could help to accelarate Europe’s digital transformation. (Politico)​
Selected Publications from the EP Think Tanks
Ongoing Relevant European Commission Consultations
- Digital product passport – rules for service providers (until 10.12.2024)
- Delegated Regulation on data access provided for in the Digital Services Act (until 26.11.2024)
- Travel – digitalising travel documents to make travelling easier (until 30.12.2024)
Selections of the CW 47 (18.11.2024 – 24.11.2024)
Council:
The current preview of the Council’s work for the upcoming week can be found here.
Summit and Ministerial Meetings:
- General Affairs Council, 11.2024
- G20 Summit, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 18-19.11.2024
Preparatory Bodies:
- ANTICI GROUP, 18 November 2024
- Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues, 18 November 2024
- Working Party on Intellectual Property, 18 November 2024
- Working Party on Hybrid Threats, 19 November 2024
- Working Party on Technical Harmonisation, 14 November 2024
- COREPER I, 20 November 2024
- COREPER II, 20 November 2024
- Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues, 20 November 2024
- Working Party on Telecommunications and Information Society, 21 November 2024
- COREPER I, 22 November 2024
- COREPER II, 22 November 2024
An overview of the various Council dates can be found here.
Commission:
The agenda of the current Commission meeting was not available at our time of writing. You can potentially find it on the Commission’s website in the near future.
Parliament:
Plenary Sittings (Brussels)
There are no plenary sittings of the European Parliament taking place this week.
Here you can find a list of the upcoming dates of the European Parliament. The calendar of the plenary sittings for 2024 is available here (PDF).
Committees
LIBE Committee (Civil Liberties)
The agenda for the current meeting of the LIBE Committee taking place on 21.11.2024 can be found here.
JURI Committee (Legal Affairs)
No meeting of the JURI Committee is scheduled for this week.
No meeting of the ITRE Committee is scheduled for this week.
IMCO Committee (Internal Market)
The agenda for the current meeting of the IMCO Committee taking place on 18.11.2024 can be found here. From the perspective of the Internet industry, the following agenda item is relevant:
- Fitness Check of EU consumer law on digital fairness
CULT Committee (Culture and Education)
No meeting of the CULT Committee is scheduled for this week.
Outlook:
An overview of the following session weeks can be found here. The provisional agenda for the upcoming plenary sittings (25-28.11.2024) can be found here.
European Court of Justice
You can find the judicial calendar of the ECJ here.
