The European Commission has launched the AI Act Service Desk and Single Information Platform to support implementation of the AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689). The Single Information Platform, as foreseen in the AI Act, will serve as a central hub offering guidance, interactive tools, and an online form for questions to the AI Act Service Desk. The EU AI Act entered into force on 1 August 2024, with prohibitions and AI literacy obligations starting 2 February 2025, governance rules and obligations for general-purpose AI from 2 August 2025, with full application by 2 August 2026 and certain high-risk system obligations extended until 2 August 2027. The Commission has committed to supporting implementation as the regulation progressively applies across the EU.

The European Commission has launched AI Factories Antennas in seven member states (Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia) and partner countries including Iceland, Moldova, Switzerland, the UK, North Macedonia and Serbia. The antennas will provide national AI communities with remote access to AI-optimised supercomputing resources through the EuroHPC ecosystem. The Commission also expanded the AI Factories network by six facilities, bringing the total to 19 across 16 member states as part of the AI Continent Action Plan.

The European Commission has launched new features on its AI-on-Demand platform to support artificial intelligence (AI) development across research and industry. Jointly developed by the EU-funded AI4Europe and DeployAI projects, the platform now includes an AI marketplace, a low-code development environment, and secure tools for generative AI and large language models (LLMs). It offers researchers access to datasets, tools and computing resources, while businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organisations can use ready-to-deploy AI modules tailored to operational needs. The initiative forms part of the AI Continent Action Plan and is intended to promote the adoption of trustworthy, scalable AI across the EU.

The European Commission has proposed the AccelerateEU initiative to address rising energy prices and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels by combining immediate relief measures with longer-term structural reforms. It identified fossil fuel dependency as the main driver of price volatility, noting its impact on household income and industrial competitiveness, and highlighted the additional expenditure on energy imports during the early phase of the Middle East conflict. The Commission set out actions to improve coordination among Member States on fuel supply and storage, including the creation of a Fuel Observatory, while enabling targeted and temporary support measures such as income assistance and flexible State aid to protect consumers and industry. It also proposed accelerating the transition to homegrown clean energy through electrification, increased deployment of renewables and other low-carbon sources, and improved energy efficiency, supported by stronger grid infrastructure and regulatory reforms. In addition, it emphasised the need to mobilise public and private investment, including EU funding and private capital, to finance the energy transition and strengthen long-term resilience against future energy shocks.

The European Commission has launched two strategies to advance the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the public sector and scientific research in Europe. These initiatives aim to enhance technological sovereignty, promote innovation, and deliver broad societal and economic benefits. Building on the AI Continent Action Plan, they draw on Europe’s existing research, infrastructure, and expertise to position the EU as a global leader in AI.

The European Commission has launched BE READY, a partnership for pandemic preparedness aimed at strengthening the EU’s capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond quickly to epidemics and pandemics. The partnership, funded with €120m from the Horizon Europe budget, focuses on advancing research on emerging and re-emerging pathogens and accelerating the development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. BE READY is co-ordinated by the French ANRS-MIE and brings together 81 organisations from 27 countries. The partnership operates through three key pillars: (1) aligning national research priorities among participating countries; (2) supporting multi-national research through joint transnational calls and (3) integrating all key components of the research ecosystem.

The European Commission has announced that Member States have endorsed a new strategy for the COMBINE programme, aimed at streamlining combined studies of medicines and medical devices. The programme, to be implemented through seven cross-sector projects, seeks to foster collaboration between national authorities, the Commission, European Medicines Agency, ethics committees, and stakeholders.

The European Commission and the competent authorities of EU Member States have launched phase 2 of the COMBINE pilot coordinated assessment procedure for combined clinical studies, expanding the scope of eligible multinational studies involving investigational medicinal products, medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. Building on the first phase, the programme introduces a rolling monthly application process, allows either single or separate sponsors, and will later add a procedure for substantial modifications and explore the use of single protocols and joint documentation. The COMBINE initiative aims to improve coordination between the EU regulatory frameworks for clinical trials, medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices, streamline authorisation procedures, reduce administrative burden and support the development of innovative combined therapies while maintaining robust regulatory oversight. Sponsors wishing to participate in the first application window, which opens in September 2026, must submit their expressions of interest by 23 August 2026.

The European Commission has launched a Call for Input on 1 April 2025 seeking feedback on industry cooperation in critical raw materials procurement and recycling. The consultation, running until 31 May 2025, focuses on competition law compliance for 14 critical materials in renewable energy, digital, aerospace and defence sectors. The initiative builds on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, 2024, and aims to provide guidance on permissible industry cooperation under EU competition rules. Companies involved in extraction, processing and recycling of critical materials are invited to submit views to the Commission.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy has launched a public consultation and call for evidence on the proposed Citizens Energy Package, which aims to accelerate clean energy transition while ensuring consumer protection. The package builds on the Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan, focusing on energy poverty, coal region decarbonisation and consumer empowerment. The Commission plans to table a Communication on the package by end-2025, following input from stakeholders through multiple channels including the Citizens Energy Forum and Regulatory Round Table. The consultation closes on 11 September 2025.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its Consumer Agenda 2025-2030, which aims to strengthen consumer protection legislation enforcement and digital consumer rights. The agenda includes measures focused on digital fairness, consumer law enforcement and an action plan for consumers in the Single Market. The consultation period runs from 19 May to 11 August 2025.

The European Commission has launched a consultation for its proposed Digital Fairness Act. Grounded in the existing EU digital rule book, the initiative targets several problematic practices, including unfair commercial practices associated with dark patterns, misleading influencer marketing, addictive design of digital products, and unfair personalisation practices. The Act aims to ensure a level playing field for online traders, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and potentially simplify regulatory frameworks. This call for evidence is open to stakeholder feedback from 17 July 2025 until 9 October 2025 (midnight Brussels time).