Digital package the main topic of the Competitiveness Council - Hoofdinhoud

At the regular meeting of the Competitiveness Council to be held in Brussels on 25 November 2021, ministers responsible for the internal market and industry will discuss the regulations on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, known as the digital package, and are expected to agree on a general approach for both files. The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Počivalšek, and the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mark Boris Andrijanič.

"We firmly believe that the digital transition is a key element for accelerating the European Union's recovery and strengthening its resilience, which is why the digital package was one of the key priorities of the Slovenian Presidency. We are satisfied with the progress of the negotiations and look forward to tomorrow's Council meeting with enthusiasm," said Minister Počivalšek before the meeting, adding: "We are confident that the general approach on the Digital Markets Act will be adopted, as the digital package as a whole is a major contribution to a fairer business environment for all businesses in the digital market, while at the same time it will allow for broader consumer choice and fairer prices, which the European Union desperately needs. We are paving the way for the whole world to follow."

"It is crucial that we confirm the general approach on the Digital Services Act, which will allow the trilogue to start next year. This is an important step towards greater protection for EU consumers, a safer online environment and greater accountability for online service providers," said Minister Andrijanič, adding that this would strengthen citizens' trust in digital solutions and clearly define the responsibilities of intermediary platforms. He also pointed out that the Act would for the first time comprehensively set out obligations that apply to those platforms, with a strong focus on the effective removal of illegal content and the protection of freedom of speech.

The digital package delivers an ambitious reform of the digital space and introduces a comprehensive approach of new rules for all digital services. Regulation of online platforms, particularly the large ones introduced by the Digital Services Act, is urgently needed to improve the mechanism for removing illegal online content and to better protect fundamental human rights online, including freedom of speech.

The Digital Services Act introduces a comprehensive set of new rules for all digital services, including social media, online marketplaces and other online platforms. The aim is to promote innovation, growth and competitiveness, and to provide users with new, better and reliable online services.

The Digital Markets Act creates a level playing field for all businesses and fair competition in digital markets, which means that business users who rely on large platforms to offer their services will find it easier to compete with large platforms. The Digital Markets Act also sets out certain obligations and prohibitions for large platforms that give businesses access to consumers.