Debates on the simplification package in Parliament and Council.

In Brussels, the simplification of the European Union’s (EU) digital legislation is increasingly moving into focus. While stakeholders can currently participate in the consultation on the Digital Omnibus, the European Commission’s planned simplification package has also been discussed in the European Parliament and in the Council of the EU.

Planned simplification of EU digital legislation

On 16 September, the European Commission launched a call for evidence on the Digital Omnibus, the first part of a comprehensive simplification package. It is to consist of a directive and a regulation, which the Commission intends to present in the fourth quarter of 2025. The areas particularly concerned are data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as aspects related to electronic identification and trust services under the European framework for a digital identity (eIDAS Regulations). In a next step, the European Commission intends to launch a broader fitness check of digital legislation in order to assess coherence and cumulative effects. It will also examine whether the EU rulebook continues to serve its purpose in light of rapid technological developments and the opportunities to promote competitiveness and innovation in digital sectors and services.

Safeguarding fundamental rights in Parliament

On 22 September, Members of the European Parliament in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) exchanged views with representatives of the European Commission. The discussion focused specifically on safeguarding fundamental rights in the implementation of the simplification agenda in the digital field. The European Commission stressed that the planned adjustments to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the AI Act would not lower standards. Rather, the aim was to provide targeted relief, for example by simplifying record-keeping obligations under the GDPR for small businesses, while safeguarding fundamental rights. The European Commission made clear that there would be neither a moratorium on the AI Act nor a full reopening of the GDPR; instead, the focus would be on coherence, legal certainty and practical applicability. Several Members of the European Parliament, including Axel Voss (EPP, DE) and Birgit Sippel (S&D, DE), warned against unintended consequences, cumulative burdens and the risk that competitiveness or trust could be undermined by overly hasty adjustments.

Simplification of the AI Act in the Council

On 23 September, the Council Working Party on Telecommunications and Information Society, at the initiative of the Danish Presidency, discussed the simplification of the AI Act. Member States each presented their views on which provisions of the AI Act should be included in the European Commission’s simplification initiative. The Working Party also exchanged views on what additional measures the European Commission and the Member States could take to support the full implementation of the AI Act, for example through digital tools, guidelines or communication initiatives. Moreover, delegations discussed the delays in the development of standards for high-risk AI systems – the central issue of the recurring "stop-the-clock" debate. Although the European Commission had ruled out a moratorium – that is, a complete suspension of the AI Act – in LIBE the previous day, this was never the actual subject of debate. Rather, the question was whether the application of certain provisions, in particular those on high-risk AI, should be postponed until the relevant standards are available. Even when pressed, the European Commission refrained from taking a clear position on this option.