AIG Newsletter 5 May 2025

NEWS

I In this week's edition: Séjourné addresses the withdrawal of the AI Liability Directive during debate with JURI. LIBE receives progress update on AI Act implementation. IMCO discusses draft report on updating the New Legislative Framework for products and receives an update on the latest trilogue of the Green Claims Directive. Concerns are expressed over the latest GPAI Codes of Practice draft. The EDPB and EDPS publish their 2024 reports. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) publishes SME competitiveness opinion and lastly, the European Audiovisual Observatory publishes its analysis of regulatory frameworks governing influencers.

SÉJOURNÉ TALKS LEGISLATIVE WITHDRAWALS

During a debate hosted by JURI on 23 April, EVP Séjourné addressed the planned withdrawals of the AI Liability Directive and the Standard Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation. He emphasised technological advancement, and promoting fair trade, whilst highlighting IP importance, AI readiness, and SME support. MEPs voiced concerns about the withdrawal rationale, impacts on SMEs, and deregulation risks. The Committee also discussed the Omnibus proposal to amend the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive following the 'stop-the-clock' proposal that postponed implementation.

EP LIBE RECEIVES UPDATE ON AI ACT IMPLEMENTATION

On 23 April, LIBE received an update from the joint IMCO-LIBE working group regarding AI Act implementation. The working group's six previous meetings addressed the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, Article 5 on prohibited practices, and stakeholder feedback on legal clarity. Future meetings will cover outstanding contributions, regulatory simplification and engagement with national parliaments. 

PRODUCT RULES COULD BE REVIEWED

During a meeting on 28 April, IMCO discussed the draft report on updating the New Legislative Framework for products to address digitalisation and sustainability challenges. The debate covered circular economy principles, including potential fast fashion bans, and enhanced right to repair provisions. While MEPs broadly supported aligning regulations with Europe's green and digital ambitions, concerns were raised about excessive burdens on SMEs. 

IMCO DISCUSSES GREEN CLAIMS DIRECTIVE

On 28 April, Co-Rapporteur Sandro Gozi updated IMCO on the Green Claims Directive's second trilogue. Agreements were reached on various aspects such as environmental footprint methods, a two-tier approach for aggregate claims and labels, and maintaining references to the UCPD for future performance claims. Discussions will continue on scope, micro-enterprise exclusions, simplified procedures and climate-related claims. Legal and economic impacts will be explored during an adhoc trilogue, with a final trilogue on 10 June.

CONCERNS RAISED OVER GPAI CODES OF PRACTICE DRAFT

On 28 April, Co-Chair Brando Benifei updated IMCO on the progress of the GPAI Codes of Practice, raising significant concerns that the draft Code is weakening critical obligations regarding transparency, copyright protection, and fundamental rights safeguards under industry pressure. While some MEPs warned that overregulation may hinder competitiveness, others emphasised the importance of protecting against discrimination and disinformation.

EDPB & EDPS PUBLISH 2024 REPORTS

The EDPB and EDPS 2024 Annual Reports highlight significant strides in advancing data protection across Europe. The EDPB focused on implementing its 2024-2027 strategy to ensure consistent GDPR enforcement, expanding guidance on emerging technologies, and strengthening stakeholder engagement. Meanwhile, the EDPS underscored its proactive approach to digital challenges through launching an AI Unit and legislative consultations.

EESC PUBLISHES OPINION ON SME COMPETITIVENESS

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) analysis stressed that SMEs face multiple overlapping legislative requirements that harm their competitiveness compared to non-European counterparts, with 55% of SMEs citing regulatory obstacles as their greatest challenge. EESC recommended merging the SME test with competitiveness checks, strengthening the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, establishing a 'single reporting tool' leveraging AI to simplify compliance, and creating a binding legislative Bureaucracy Reduction Act.

INFLUENCERS: AUDIOVISUAL OBSERVATORY PUBLISHES STUDY

A new study by the European Audiovisual Obervatory provides the first comprehensive analysis of regulatory frameworks governing influencer activity across the EU-27, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. The report examines specific national provisions, consumer protection rules, enforcement examples, SRO contributions and the growing trend of professional certification programmes, concluding with country-specific summaries of legal and guidance for influencers.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

5 May: ENVI Committee Meeting to receive update on Green Claims Directive trilogue

5 May: EP Plenary Session in Strasbourg (3 days)

6 May: Working Party on Data Protection Meeting

6 May: Working Party on the Environment will be meeting for 3 consecutive days

6 May: Technology Infrastructures: A Strategic Asset for European Competitiveness (European Commission)

8 May: International Digital Partnerships and Projects for Tech Sovereignty, Security & Democracy (Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs)

8 May: Workshop on AI Security Standards: A step forward in the evaluation and management of AI(Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs) 

9 May: Think Tanks Forum: Better Europe (The Centre for International Relations in collaboration with the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland)

12 May: ENVI & ITRE Committee Meetings

12 May: Privacy Symposium (Venice, Italy)

13 May: Countering Disinformation: The role and responsibility of independent journalism (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)

14 May: The Digital Services Act: An Initial Review (The Institute of International and European Affairs)

15 May: Digital Sovereignty and Standardisation: Europe between innovation, security and competitiveness (CEPS)

16 May: Open judicial data, AI, and transparency in the digital age(data.europa)

21 May: Announcement of the fourth Omnibus Simplification Package on small-mid caps and the Single Market Strategy