European Commission 2024 Work Programme: Delivering Today and Preparing for Tomorrow

On 17 October 2023, the European Commission adopted its 2024 work programme, focusing on simplifying rules for citizens and businesses. The programme is detailed in three annexes: (i) Annex I covers new policy and legislative initiatives, none of which pertain to judicial cooperation in civil matters. (ii) Annex II, on REFIT initiatives, includes a revision of online dispute resolution for consumer disputes, proposing the repeal of Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 and amendments to Directive 2013/11 to simplify reporting requirements. (iii) Annex III lists pending procedures prioritized by the Commission, which, though based on Article 114 TFEU, have implications for private international law. This includes proposals on combating late payments in commercial transactions, liability for defective products, adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to AI, improving working conditions in platform work, European cross-border associations, the digital euro, and harmonising insolvency law across Member States. These initiatives aim to reduce legal fragmentation and support the internal market.