EU digital statutes lay the ground rules for operating in the digital age
The EU is currently preparing a number of statutes on digital and data issues. The aim of these statutes is to make the digital operating environment as functional, secure and fair as possible.
This website contains information on the goals, effects and schedules of seven digital statutes being prepared the EU. More detailed information on the statutes is available on the websites of the European Commission and the relevant ministries.
Objectives of the regulation
To ensure competitive and fair markets in the digital sector and protect companies and consumers from unfair practices observed to be engaged in by ‘gatekeepers’ of the EU single market, in other words large platform companies.
Effects on companies
A more fair business environment for all companies. In particular, obligations concerning access to data and improving compatibility will promote the business and innovation opportunities of SMEs.
Effects on individuals
Will promote high-quality digital products and services, reasonable and competitive prices, and consumers’ freedom of choice.
Effects on society
Uniform rules in the EU will improve the functioning of the single market. Positive effects will include promoting the entry of new operators onto the market and fostering innovation.
Date of entry into force/application
Entry into force on 1 November 2022, application starts on 2 May 2023.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
More information
Objectives of the regulation
To intervene in illegal content, to increase accountability of online platforms, to increase obligations for very large operators.
Effects on companies
Will make it easier for small platforms, SMEs and startups to scale up in the EU. Will increase legal certainty and harmonisation of rules for companies.
Effects on individuals
Will make services for users more transparent and safer protect fundamental rights and freedom of expression, and reduce exposure to illegal content.
Effects on society
Will increase obligations for and supervision of online platforms. Will facilitate a wide range of safe products and services and mitigate systemic risk, such as disinformation.
Date of entry into force/application
Entry into force on 16 November 2022, application starts gradually depending on different kind of services, but latest on 17 February 2024.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Transport and Communications
More information
Objectives of the regulation
To create a data framework based on European values to improve access to data and harmonise data sharing in the EU. To create a shared European data space and an interoperable single market for data.
Effects on companies
According to the Commission’s report, SMEs in particular will benefit from the actions laid down in the regulation, such as better interoperability and standardisation of data and simplified availability of public sector data.
Effects on individuals
Data-driven innovation will provide extensive benefits to citizens, for example, by improving personalised medicine, offering new mobility solutions a promoting the European Green Deal.
Effects on society
The regulation could act as a catalyst for promoting data sharing throughout the EU. This will create opportunities for new and more efficient services and products and for utilising artificial intelligence.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
Published in the Official Journal on 3 June 2022. Application to start on 24 September 2023.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Transport and Communications
More information
Objectives of the regulation
To make the EU a favourable environment for the development and application of artificial intelligence based on the EU’s values of high-level protection against risks to citizens. To prohibit certain harmful AI practices. To set specific requirements for high-risk AI systems.
Effects on companies
Will improve the ability of companies to promote investments and strengthen competitiveness and improve the functioning of the single market. Companies will have to meet certain requirements and comply with certain obligations when placing high-risk AI systems on the market or adopting them.
Effects on individuals
Tighter regulation of high-risk applications would improve the protection of the health, safety and fundamental rights of individuals.
Effects on society
Improved functioning of the single market will have positive economic effects. The EU's AI rules could pioneer the regulation of artificial intelligence globally.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
The legislative proposal is being discussed at the EU level.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
More information
Union communication (in Finnish)
Objectives of the regulation
To enhance easy access to data especially for users and smaller companies, to ensure fairness in data-based value chains, to promote competition in the data market and to enable data-driven innovations.
Effects on companies
Will increase competition and create opportunities for smaller companies to influence the sharing and use of data.
Effects on individuals
Will provide consumers rights over the sharing and use of data.
Effects on society
Will create a human-centric data economy and strengthen trust in digital solutions.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
The legislative proposal is being discussed at the EU level.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Objectives of the regulation
To make reliable and secure digital identity solutions available to all EU citizens, residents and legal persons.
Effects on companies
Will enable the production and provision of European wallet applications. Will also enable the use of wallet applications when using services across borders. Will create uniform requirements for offering trust services referred to in the regulation throughout the EU.
Effects on individuals
Will promote the ability of individuals to control their personal data and ensure that digital identity solutions can be used safely when using services across borders.
Effects on society
In addition to cross-border electronic identification, will make it possible to provide proof of personal data and certificates when using services across borders.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
The legislative proposal is being discussed at the EU level.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Finance
More information
Union communication (in Finnish)
Objectives of the regulation
To improve the transparency of the activities of online platforms of all sizes and to addresses the practices followed in contractual relationships between online platforms and companies.
Effects on companies
Sets deadlines within which online platforms must notify business users of contractual changes or the termination of the service. Information affecting the order of search results must be available to companies. Online platforms are obliged to establish an internal complaint handling system.
Effects on individuals
The regulation applies to the contractual relationships of online platforms with business users who use the platform to reach consumers. Increasing transparency in relationships between companies indirectly improves consumer trust in the online economy.
Effects on society
The transparency and predictability of an online business environment and effective legal remedies for business users will facilitate cross-border business within the EU.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
Entered into force on 20 June 2019, application started on 20 July 2020.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
More information
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment website
Objectives of the regulation
To enable access to public sector information and publicly funded data as open data and to enable the re-use of such data for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
Effects on companies
Limiting the fees charged by the public sector for the re-use of its data and limiting the use of exclusivity agreements will enable SMEs and start-ups to enter the market for data-based products. Real-time data and the EU-wide opening of high-value datasets will enable the development of innovative products.
Effects on individuals
There will be more and more freely available information produced by the public sector, including through new data-based services.
Effects on society
It will be more easy to find and re-use information produced and held by the public sector. The transparency of administration will be improved.
Estimated date of entry into force/application
The Open Data Directive entered into force on 17 July 2021, and the draft implementing act is currently in a public consultation procedure of the Commission.
Responsible ministry
Ministry of Finance
More information
National implementation of the Open Data Directive (in Finnish)