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EU - European Parliament - Committees - Latest news

  1. Highlights - Single Market and Competitiveness: Two Sides of the Same Coin - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

    InvestEU has been at the forefront of innovation in the fight against Covid-19. The programme provided financial support to SMEs and companies with growth potential such as the German firm BioNTech, helping it to develop the first Covid-19 vaccine to be authorised in the world. Parliament insisted SMEs receive vital capital investment from InvestEU during the pandemic, enabling them to come back from the crisis stronger.
    On 25 February, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee discussed the European Commission’s latest report assessing the state of the EU Single Market and its impact on competitiveness. The report underlines that competitiveness and completion of the Single Market go hand in hand — two sides of the same coin. Built around four pillars and supported by 29 performance indicators, it offers an overview of progress achieved and identifies areas where further action is needed.

    The report stresses that important barriers continue to slow integration of the Single Market. Trade in goods between EU countries has stabilised and progress in services remains limited. Regulatory complexity and uneven enforcement still make it difficult for companies to operate across borders despite ongoing simplification efforts.

    The report also points to increasing pressure on Europe's industrial base. High energy prices, limited investment and weaker innovation performance affect competitiveness, while many innovative companies struggle to grow within Europe. Initiatives such as the proposed Industrial Acceleration Act aim to support industrial development and help businesses scale up.

    Finally, the report highlights growing strategic dependencies, particularly in raw materials and supply chains. The Commission emphasised the need to strengthen resilience and critical capacities while preserving the benefits of an open and integrated Single Market.


    Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

  2. Highlights - Simplifying EU Digital Rules: Digital Omnibus Study Presented at IMCO - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

    Close-up of a businessman using a tablet device. A hand is touching the screen. Floating above the tablet are glowing digital graphics, including charts, graphs, magnifying glass icons, and data symbols.In the background, there is a light blue world map made of connected lines and dots.
    A new study analysing the “Digital Omnibus” package, was presented at IMCO on 26 February. It outlines the main changes that the Commission proposed across key digital rules on data, privacy, cybersecurity, and AI. It identifies interlinks and overlaps between existing legislative acts. In addition, the study is highlighting issues requiring parliamentary scrutiny, improving legal certainty, strengthening enforcement, and safeguarding the right of the consumers.

    The Digital Omnibus seeks to address overlaps in EU digital legislation, reduce administrative and reporting burdens, tackle so-called 'cookie fatigue', and remove frictions in the data economy. The study identifies elements that are broadly supported, such as administrative simplification measures, including the creation of a Single Entry Point and harmonised DPIA templates, and targeted support for SMEs and small mid-caps, among others.

    At the same time, the study highlights a number of concerns, including the limited evidence base underpinning the proposals, the absence of a full impact assessment, and uncertainty as to whether the proposed simplification would effectively reduce administrative burdens or enhance legal clarity.

    On the AI rules, the study examines the proposed burden-reduction measures and governance changes, including the adjustments to obligations for high-risk AI systems through a readiness-based approach linked to future standards and guidance.


    Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

  3. Highlights - EoV with the experts on the occasion of the World Hearing Day - Committee on Public Health

    Ear with hearing appliance
    On 2nd of March, in the view of the upcoming World Hearing Day, Members of the SANT committee will hold an exchange of views with the two experts, Professor Doctor Paul van de Heyning and Doctor Patrick D’Haese, which will be followed by the debate.

    Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

  4. Highlights - Vote on 2024 Discharge: European Parliament, Other Institutions, Joint Undertakings - Committee on Budgetary Control

    Members of European Parliament voting with their hands up
    The Committee on Budgetary Control will vote on the draft reports and amendments concerning the 2024 Discharge to the European Parliament, the Other Institutions and the Joint Undertakings on 2 March 2026.

    The votes will concern the:
    1. European Parliament;
    2. Other Institutions (European Council and Council, Court of Justice of the European Union, European Court of Auditors, European External Action Service, European Economic and Social Committee, European Committee of the Regions, European Ombudsman, European Data Protection Supervisor, European Public Prosecutor's Office); and
    3. Joint Undertakings (CA JU,CBE JU, Clean H2 JU, EU-Rail JU, ECCC, EuroHPC JU, F4E, GH JU, IHI JU, Chips JU, SESAR 3 JU, SNS JU).
    The discharge procedure has proved to be a powerful tool, which has had an impact on the evolution of the EU's budgetary system, while helping to increase the Parliament's political leverage. Recent years have shown a trend towards a greater focus on results and performance, strongly supported and promoted by the European Parliament.

    Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

  5. Highlights - MEPs Approve Opinion on EU Digital Age Limits - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

    Teenager wearing a hoodie sits on stairs and uses smartphone
    On 26 February, MEPs approved an opinion addressing how social media and the online environment affect young people. The text proposes measures to strengthen the protection of minors online, clarify platform responsibilities and improve enforcement across the EU. It also supports setting a common European age limit for social media, whereby young people would need to be at least 16 to use these platforms, unless authorised by parents, while access would not be allowed for children under 13.

    The opinion promotes effective and privacy-friendly age verification across the European Union and calls for stronger and more consistent enforcement of existing laws protecting children online.

    The text asks the European Commission to introduce stronger rules to better protect children online through a future law called the Digital Fairness Act. It suggests that common online practices -- such as targeted advertising, influencer promotions, addictive design features, loot boxes, virtual currencies in video games and misleading website designs -- should be covered by these new rules. The aim is to close gaps in existing laws, while avoiding unnecessary regulatory complexity for businesses.

    Artificial intelligence tools have also been addressed. The opinion highlights risks such as misinformation, manipulation and emotional dependency, and calls for strict safeguards.

    The opinion was prepared by IMCO for a report led by CULT, the Committee on Culture and Education.


    Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP