Brussels, BELGIUM – Today, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) launched a novel campaign calling on the European Commission to raise both the ambition level and scope of its upcoming Digital Omnibus Simplification Package.
Europe has always been a continent of trailblazers: from Gutenberg’s printing press to Lovelace’s pioneering algorithms. Yet today’s digital innovators face something far less inspiring: a maze of complex and overlapping EU tech rules that slow progress.
The new ‘Simplify EU Tech Rules. Unlock Innovation.’ campaign urges the Commission to adopt bolder, more impactful measures in its soon-to-be-published package. Early reports suggest the current plans may not go far enough to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles.
The timing is critical. The European Commission’s public consultation on these simplification plans closed yesterday, and officials will now review stakeholder input before agreeing the precise scope and ambition level of the final digital package, expected next month.
CCIA Europe calls on the Commission to simplify the path for Europe’s next generation of digital pioneers. Explore www.unlock-innovation.eu to learn more about how Europe’s historic innovators might fare under today’s EU digital rules.
The campaign’s messages, featuring these historic innovators, are also being showcased on digital billboards at key locations in Brussels’ European quarter, including metro stations.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe’s Senior Vice President & Head of Office, Daniel Friedlaender:
“Europe does not need more rules, it just needs better ones. Rules that are clear, consistent, and innovation-friendly. Slowly the EU’s simplification efforts are moving in the right direction, but things are not going fast enough. Now is the time for real ambition and decisive action.”
“CCIA Europe urges the European Commission to be bolder in its simplification agenda. This means making hard but necessary choices for a stronger and smarter digital future. We need ambitious positive reform to honour the legacy of Europe’s great inventors.”
About CCIA Europe
CCIA is an international, not-for-profit trade association representing a broad cross section of communications and technology firms. As an advocate for a thriving European digital economy, CCIA Europe has been actively contributing to EU policy making since 2009. CCIA’s Brussels-based team seeks to improve understanding of the industry and share the tech sector’s collective expertise, with a view to fostering balanced and well-informed policy making in Europe. For more information, visit: ccianet.eu, x.com/CCIAeurope, or linkedin.com/showcase/cciaeurope to learn more.