DIGITALEUROPE reacts to the European Commission Work Programme 2026

Brussels, 21 October

DIGITALEUROPE takes note of the European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme published today by the European Commission and welcomes its renewed focus on building a strong and digital Europe. With global competition intensifying and digital transformation accelerating, the emphasis on industrial leadership, research and resilience is essential to secure Europe’s position in the digital economy.

Backing Europe’s leadership on critical technologies 

We take note of the European Innovation Act, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Quantum Act, the Advanced Materials Act, and a new Chips Act. To ensure their success, coherence across the EU’s expanding digital rulebook will be crucial.   

Before introducing any new legislation, it is vital to conduct a comprehensive competitiveness check and impact assessment. Now is the time to simplify and untangle the existing spaghetti bowl of regulation, rather than adding new layers of complexity. At the same time, we must take stock of the current framework and ensure a thorough evaluation of existing rules, resilience, and supply chains through detailed competitiveness assessments. 

Simplifying regulation and supporting innovation 

We support the Commission’s commitment to a simpler, more innovation-friendly single market, with initiatives plans for automotive and energy, among others. Any new initiatives, such as the Digital Fairness Act, should be focused on improving enforcement of existing rules. Simplification and regulatory coherence must remain guiding principles across all sectors.  

A new era for European Defence and Security  

The Work Programme marks a decisive step toward strengthening Europe’s resilience and security. New initiatives on defence procurement simplification, the Qualitative Military Edge Programme and the forthcoming Communication on the Defence Single Market: EU technological base fit for the future will be key to enhancing readiness and cooperation.

DIGITALEUROPE welcomes this renewed focus on building a competitive and innovative defence ecosystem, driven by digital technologies from secure communications to AI-enabled situational awareness.

Efforts to simplify defence and security procurement should be aligned with the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act and the Public Procurement Act, ensuring coherence across dual-use technologies. A strong digital defence industrial base will be crucial for the EU’s resilience and collective security.

Global cooperation 

We also welcome the continued emphasis on Europe’s global engagement and the transatlantic partnership. The Work Programme’s section ‘A Global Europe: Leveraging our Power and Partnerships’ highlights cooperation with key partners, humanitarian aid and trade alignment. 

We see this as an opportunity to advance a shared transatlantic agenda for innovation, digital trade and trustworthy AI, building on existing cooperation under the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC). 

Energy and digital infrastructure 

On energy, DIGITALEUROPE shares the Commission’s ambition to improve sustainability but cautions against one-size-fits-all requirements. The announced Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package, expected to include a consultation on minimum performance standards, risks creating prescriptive efficiency mandates that could hinder innovation in Europe’s digital infrastructure sector. 

We advocate instead for a partnership-based approach that builds on transparency, voluntary initiatives and investment in renewable energy. 

Overall, the 2026 Work Programme represents a critical opportunity to translate the EU’s ambitions into an integrated competitiveness strategy. We call on the Commission to continue working closely with industry to ensure that Europe’s regulatory environment empowers innovation, investment and job creation.