Brussels, 3 June 2022
On Friday, 3 June, telecommunications ministers discussed the state of play of legislative files linked to the EU’s digital transition (Artificial Intelligence Act, European Digital Identity Regulation, Data Act). They also held an orientation debate on the green and digital transition.
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Artificial intelligence
With regard to the proposal for an Artificial Intelligence Act, the Council took stock of the progress made and approved a progress report submitted by the presidency.
The draft Regulation presented by the European Commission in April 2021 is a key element in the EU’s policy to foster the development and uptake, at European level, of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) that respects fundamental rights.
The proposal lays down a uniform,horizontal legal framework for AI which aims to:
- ensure that AI systems placed on the EU market and used in the European Union, including by non-EU providers, respect European Union values and existing laws on fundamental rights
- ensure legal certainty to facilitate investment and innovation in AI
- enhance governance and effective enforcement of existing law on fundamental rights and safety requirements applicable to AI systems
Ministers supported the main objectives of the proposal and took note of the progress report. Work in the Council will continue under the Czech presidency.
- Draft regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act)
- A European approach to artificial intelligence (Commission information)
- A digital future for Europe (background information)
Framework for a European Digital Identity
The Council took stock of the progress made and approved a progress report submitted by the presidency on the proposal for a Regulation on a European Digital Identity framework. The proposed new framework will amend the 2014 regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation), which had laid the foundations for a system for safely accessing services and carrying out transactions online and across borders in the EU.
The proposal aims to ensure universal access for people and businesses to secure and trustworthy electronic identification and authentication by means of a European digital identity wallet. This wallet should be recognised by the EU public sector, by private service providers requiring strong user authentication and by large online platforms. The proposal also creates a legal framework for the exchange of identification attributes and information linked to identity. It provides for user control and data protection and the targeted sharing of identity data limited to the needs of the specific service requested.
Ministers supported the main objectives of the proposal and took note of the progress report. Work in the Council will continue under the Czech presidency.
- Regulation on a European Digital Identity framework
- European Digital Identity (Commission information)
- A digital future for Europe (background information)
Data Act
The Council took stock of progress on the proposal for a Regulation on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data.
The main objectives of that proposal are to ensure fairness in the allocation of value from data among actors in the data economy and to foster access to and use of data. It is a horizontal piece of legislationwhich should soon be supplemented by complementary legislation for specific sectors. This legislative proposal is therefore an important step in the development of the European data economy.
Ministers supported the main objectives of the proposal and took note of the progress report. Work in the Council will continue under the Czech presidency.
- Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data (Data Act)
- Your life online: how is the EU making it easier and safer for you? (feature story)
- A digital future for Europe (background information)
Digital and green transition
The Council also held a policy debate on the digital and green transition on the basis of a note submitted by the presidency. Ministers discussed how to measure and assess the environmental impact of digital technology, and arrangements for developing sustainable digital technology that serves the green transition of the economy.
More specifically, ministers exchanged views on the possibility of putting in place, at European level, methodologies for measuring the digital environmental footprint, bearing in mind its potential to reduce the environmental footprint of other sectors. Ministers also discussed the concrete targets which Europe should set itself by 2030 and the levers which should be prioritised at European level to address the most important environmental cost factors associated with digitalisation, with particular regard to digital equipment, and to encourage practices and services conducive to this transition.
Ministers stressed that, while smart use of clean digital technologies can act as a key enabler for climate action, environmental sustainability and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector must also ensure the environmentally sound design and deployment of digital technologies and products.
They also noted that Europe can compete globally in the green technology market, in particular by promoting innovative technologies, energy-efficient electronics and the environmental sustainability of ICT solutions. Ministers stressed the need to create a methodology for measuring the digital environmental footprint, to establish targets for 2030 and an ambitious digital and green transition strategy at European level.
Any other business
Under ‘any other business’, the presidency briefed ministers on the state of play of current legislative proposals.
As regards the Regulation on privacy and electronic communications (ePrivacy), the presidency informed ministers about the state of play in the Council and the ongoing negotiations with the European Parliament on this file, including the outcome of the trilogue of 31 March 2022.
As regards the draft Decision on the Path to the Digital Decade, the presidency informed ministers about the mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament approved by the Permanent Representatives Committee on 11 May 2022.
With regard to the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurityacross the EU (revised NIS Directive or ‘NIS 2’), the presidency informed ministers about the provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on 12 May 2022.
The presidency also informed ministers about the state of play on the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade.
In addition, the presidency and other delegations informed ministers about the International Telecommunication UnionPlenipotentiary Conference to be held in Bucharest from 26 September to 14 October 2022.
The Austrian, Czech and Slovak delegations also informed ministers about the outcome of the high-level workshop ‘Digital Humanism and Artificial Intelligence’, held in Brussels on 3 March 2022.
Finally, the incoming Czech presidencypresented its work programme for the second half of 2022.
Meeting information
- Meeting n°3874-1
- Luxembourg
Preparatory documents
- Provisional agenda
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Source EU Council: View the main results of the meeting.