European Commission Work Programme 2025: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union

On 11 February 2025, the European Commission adopted its 2025 work programme, "Moving forward together: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union”. The blog post analysis is conducted from the perspective of relevance, direct or indirect, to private international law. The programme outlines initiatives aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness, addressing geopolitical instability, managing migration, combating climate change and upholding European values and democracy. Key proposals include the First Omnibus Package on Sustainability, which seeks to reduce regulatory burdens in sustainable finance reporting and corporate sustainability due diligence, and the EU Space Act, designed to create a unified framework for space sustainability, security and safety. The programme also emphasizes the protection of democracy through initiatives like the European Democracy Shield and strategies to support civil society. Additionally, it highlights ongoing legislative efforts in areas such as combating late payments in commercial transactions, providing the framework for cross-border associations, establishing the digital euro, harmonizing insolvency laws, developing alternative dispute resolution for consumers and regulating matters of parenthood and vulnerable adult protection. Finally, the European Commission plans to withdraw both the Proposal for a Regulation on the law applicable to the third-party effects of assignments of claims and the AI Liability Directive due to the lack of a foreseeable agreement, although a revised approach may be considered for the latter.