Every day, an estimated 12 million parcels arrive in the EU by air. The rapid growth of e-commerce has a significant environmental impact and also leads to more and more non-compliant and dangerous goods arriving in the European market. A visit to one of Europe's most important cargo airports, organised by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, highlighted how difficult it is in practice to monitor and impose sanctions on unsafe products, counterfeits, undeclared goods and fraud.

Amid geopolitical tensions and growing dependence on foreign tech giants, the idea of strengthening Europe's technological autonomy is gaining more prominence. EU legislation on digital markets, digital services and AI has been passed. Yet, strong concerns remain over the economic and social influence of non-EU tech giants. What are the risks associated with the current situation, and how can the EU achieve digital sovereignty? We spoke with digital transition expert Justin Nogarede.

The rapid developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are changing the world of work. On 20 and 21 February 2025, the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) held a conference on the “Future of Work”. The subject matter of the conference was the impact of digital technologies, AI and computer-based control. To ensure a fair digital transformation of the world of work, employees need to be given a voice.

The Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Act) entered into force on 1 August 2024 and is to become fully applicable in two years. The provisions of Chapter I (General Provisions) and II (Prohibited AI Practices) already apply since 2 February 2025.

The EU Commission has developed guidelines for the implementation of the AI Act, including on the definition of AI system and on prohibited AI practices. Beforehand, the EU Commission carried out a targeted stakeholder consultation, in which AK participated and gave its opinion from a consumer policy perspective.

Since the EU Commission presented its competitiveness compass on January 29, the whole of Brussels has been discussing how Europe can assert itself economically against the USA and China to secure long-term prosperity. The Council under the Polish Presidency is not alone in directing its attention towards industrial policy for the next six months. By hosting two events at the beginning of February, AK EUROPA also took a stand on this issue.

Do current EU consumer protection laws meet the challenges that consumers face in the digital space? The EU Commission has thoroughly examined this question and the answer is no. In a comprehensive report, the EU Commission largely confirms AK's analysis. The findings are now to be incorporated into the development of a Digital Fairness Act.

The final decision on the AI Regulation was taken by the Council of the EU on 21 May 2024. This represents an important step for the safe use of artificial intelligence and the protection of fundamental rights. The European Parliament has made a significant contribution – one out of many reasons to vote in the EU elections on 9 June 2024!

The EU Council of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs adopted the Platform Work Directive on 11 March 2024. Previously, two attempts to adopt the Directive had failed, even though an agreement had already been reached in December 2023. The Directive addresses precarious working conditions in the platform economy and strengthens the role of trade unions.

The European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will soon be voting on two controversial topics: At the beginning of April 2024, a vote will be held on the introduction of the digital euro as a new means of payment. The EU Commission's Retail Investment Strategy, which has received far less public attention, will be put to the vote on 20 March 2024. The AK is calling for improvements for consumers.

The proposal for a Regulation on the European Health Data Space is currently being negotiated in trilogue between the EU Parliament, the Council and the EU Commission. AK EUROPA, together with trade unions and other organisations advocating for the digital rights of patients, healthcare professionals, consumers and employees, has sent an open letter to the trilogue negotiators. They are called upon to respect the fundamental rights of European patients.