The European Commission has announced that the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) entered into force on 2 February 2026, representing the EU's first standalone bilateral digital trade agreement. The DTA establishes rules for cross-border digital transactions and includes commitments on online consumer protection, personal data and privacy protection, as well as safeguards against unsolicited commercial communications. It promotes paperless trade, recognises the validity of electronic signatures, contracts and invoices and prohibits the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions. The DTA also prohibits unjustified data localisation requirements and the forced transfer of software source code. The DTA builds on the 2019 EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, with negotiations on the agreement having commenced on 20 July 2023.

The European Commission has announced that the EU and Japan have agreed to deepen cooperation across a range of digital policy areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, quantum technologies and semiconductors, following the fourth meeting of the EU–Japan Digital Partnership Council in Brussels. At the meeting, the parties outlined measures aimed at supporting cross-border data flows, enhancing the interoperability of digital systems and continuing collaboration on platform regulation and digital infrastructure.

The European Commission has announced that 40 banks from Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia have officially joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) schemes, representing the first Enlargement partners to do so. The decision was made by the European Payments Council  (EPC) following the four countries’ entry into SEPA’s geographical scope, with Albania and Montenegro joining in November 2024 and North Macedonia and Moldova in March 2025.

The European Commission has announced that the first EU tripartite agreement on energy storage has been signed. The agreement aims to accelerate the short-term deployment of energy storage and help make the EU electricity system more secure and flexible. Under the agreement, 22 EU Member States have committed to supporting the deployment of between 30 GW and 35 GW of energy storage capacity over the next 2 years. Their commitments include removing regulatory barriers, enabling national regulatory authorities to set or approve cost-reflective and non-discriminatory network tariffs and, where necessary, providing financial support for energy storage rollout and manufacturing through national and EU funding, in line with State aid rules. The Commission will support Member States in creating funding schemes for storage and help decarbonise energy-intensive industries. It will also explore ways to support energy storage deployment under the Innovation Fund, update network rules to encourage storage deployment and assess possible improvements to how public sector transition investments align with EU environmental objectives when reviewing the Taxonomy Disclosure rules in early 2027. The Commission will lead and co-ordinate delivery of the agreement's objectives and monitor progress annually until 2028. It will also support exchanges between signatories on energy storage challenges and best practices through the Energy Union Task Force, regional groups and other existing forums.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety has published Commission Decision (EU) 2025/2371 in the Official Journal of the European Union, declaring the full functionality of the first four modules of the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED). Under the transitional provisions set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1860, this publication triggers a six-month transition period, after which the four modules will become mandatory from 28 May 2026. The modules include: actor registration, UDI/device registration, notified bodies and certificates and market surveillance systems.

The European Commission has announced that intermediary service providers have published their first harmonised transparency reports under the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA) following the February 2026 deadline. These reports utilise the new standardised machine-readable templates adopted in July 2025, which harmonise content moderation reporting across platforms. Under the EU DSA, very large online platforms and search engines must report twice yearly, while other services are required to report annually. This initiative is designed to provide civil society and regulators with real-life data on content moderation practices, holding platforms accountable for protecting Europeans' fundamental rights, including freedom of speech.

The European Commission has announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will launch a pilot programme in Q2 2026 to support breakthrough medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. The programme will provide manufacturers of designated technologies with enhanced regulatory support and priority access to scientific advice from EMA expert panels. It aims to accelerate patient access to highly innovative technologies while maintaining the EU standards for safety and performance. The initiative also supports the Commission’s broader objective of promoting innovation in areas of major public health interest and in the quality, safety and performance of advanced medical devices placed on the EU market. Ahead of the launch, the EMA will host an online information session on 24 April 2026 to outline the framework and highlight practical considerations for stakeholders.

The European Commission has announced the launch of the EU Innovation Platform, developed by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and unveiled at the European Innovation Summit in Brussels. Created in the context of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the platform is intended to serve as a central entry point for innovators seeking market-access support. Its main feature is an intelligent recommendation engine, which connects registered users with relevant services, funding calls, news and events according to their needs, sector, geographical location and maturity level. The platform is currently available to EU-funded innovators, with plans to expand access to EU investors, corporates and business advisory services in the coming months.

The European Commission has announced the launch of negotiations for an EU–Canada Digital Trade Agreement (DTA), following discussions between the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič and the Canadian Minister for International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. Building on the existing EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the DTA seeks to modernise cross-border trade by streamlining digital processes, reinforcing legal certainty for electronic transactions and ensuring strong consumer protections.

The European Commission has announced the launch of the European Vulnerability Database (EUVD), managed by the EU Agency for Cybersecurity. The EUVD is designed to strengthen digital security across the EU by helping organisations comply with supply chain and vulnerability management requirements under Directive 2022/2555 (the NIS2 Directive), while also supporting the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act to safeguard products with digital elements—such as software and smart devices—from cyber threats. It collects vulnerability information from trusted sources and provides tools to assist both public and private sector stakeholders in identifying and managing cybersecurity risks across information and communication technology products and services, particularly in critical sectors such as energy, transport, and health.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety HAS announced that from 28 May 2026, the use of four modules of the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED) is mandatory under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (Medical Device Regulation (MDR)) and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR)). As a result, anyone seeking to place a medical device on the EU market must be registered in EUDAMED and ensure that their registration and device information is complete and up to date. The Commission says the requirement will support oversight of medical devices throughout their lifecycle and improve cooperation between manufacturers, notified bodies, national authorities and the Commission.

The European Commission has announced that new EU-wide rules under the recast Drinking Water Directive have come into force requiring Member States to systematically monitor and report per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Effective from 12 January 2026, Member States must comply with harmonised limit values, take corrective measures where exceedances occur, and inform both the public and the Commission. The directive introduces simplified reporting and marks the first EU-wide PFAS monitoring. Technical guidelines issued in 2024 support consistent measurement methods. Adopted in 2020 and transposed by January 2023, the directive aims to guarantee safe drinking water and uphold high standards in line with the Zero Pollution Action Plan and Water Resilience Strategy.