Blog post by Stephen Wyber
The months between now and the end of the year are likely to be among the most intense of this mandate of the European Parliament and Commission since it started work in 2024.
The process on some legislation is coming to a close, while other proposals are due to be published, and work will continue to accelerate on plans for 2027.
As a ‘welcome back’ after the European summer, here are 6 things to look out for.
1. Horizon Europe Will Continue to Draw Attention – But Will It Be Agreed?
For many in the research policy space, the main priority is the Regulation that defines the shape of the Horizon Europe programme. With potentially almost €200bn of funding over a seven-year period on the table, this is a big deal, and how it is allocated (in particular who can benefit, for what type of research, and how) is significant. There have been a significant number of amendments, and the Parliament’s position appears some distance from that of the Commission and Council, although it will take a further two months before this can be defined clearly.
This is also relevant outside of the EU, given that other countries, not least the UK, are also associated with the programme.
KR21 will focus in particular on how amendments to the Regulation address provisions relevant to Open Science, with the Commission’s original proposals (notably the definitions in article 2, and then articles 5 and 32) already representing a helpful starting point by affirming the need to pursue openness.
2. A European Research Area Act – How Comprehensive?
Alongside Horizon Europe, another major step should be the publication of the draft European Research Area (ERA) Act. This was already included in the mission letter from the President of the European Commission to Research Commissioner Zaharieva when she was nominated for her role, where it is presented as central to making a reality of the Fifth Freedom – the freedom of movement of knowledge.
The ERA Act is likely to be far-reaching, with elements addressing all of research spending, coordination of programming, freedom of scientific research, researcher mobility, research security and more. The key question for KR21 is whether we will also see provisions around Secondary Publication Rights, as well as the harmonisation and improvement of research exceptions. While these have long been a focus of work within the research space, there is a risk of a late drive to see these issues shifted to subsequent copyright legislation – something that KR21 has warned against.
3. Will the Innovation Act Support Knowledge Valorisation?
One piece of legislation that had been expected before the summer was the European Innovation Act, focused on steps intended to support the work of innovative companies, and in particular start-ups and scale-ups. This has been delayed, but the current news is that it should be released on 9 September.
While most of the Act will focus on setting rules for how companies operate and are supported, there has been discussion about how to support access to research infrastructures for such companies. With the EU’s definition of infrastructures including collections, libraries and their host institutions may be affected. The goal must be greater clarity around libraries’ ability to support researchers involved in research-industry partnerships. This would support recent efforts, for example, to encourage infrastructures (such as test sites, venues with specific tools, and collections) to sign up to charters for access.
4. Will the Digital Fairness Act Extend to Library Users?
Another piece of legislation due to be published in the coming months is the Digital Fairness Act, intended to address harmful practices in the digital space, in particular focused on protecting children, as well as covert marketing practices that can steer consumers without them being aware.
For KR21, our primary focus is to highlight a critical loophole in the EU’s digital consumer protection laws, caused by a failure to protect libraries against unfair contract terms and practices. This leaves all those who rely on libraries – for research, education, cultural participation and more – without a solution when the materials they need suddenly disappear, or are only available on highly restrictive terms. We have highlighted in particular the challenges libraries face around eBooks in this respect, and are calling for action. We will also closely follow next steps in the campaign for fairer rules for consumers around ongoing access to digital works, such as games.
5. What Impact From the Digital Omnibus on Data?
Returning to a law due to be concluded by the end of this year, the Digital Omnibus on Data aims to update and partially bring together a range of laws, including the Data Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the Open Data Directive. Much of the focus here is on GDPR and the tension between simplification and the desire to maintain high levels of protection of individuals.
For libraries, there is a range of relevant issues. A significant potential step is the move to include a specific definition of research in EU law, which has the potential to become a reference point elsewhere. A range of amendments are under discussion, ranging from no definition at all, to varying degrees of flexibility. There are also amendments under discussion which would ensure that rules on giving access to publicly funded research data extend to publications and research information. We will want to follow what comes out of this discussion, given its potential to impact the work of universities, libraries and researchers.
6. What Direction of Travel on the Copyright Directive?
Finally, one piece of law that we do not expect to see published this year is the planned copyright reform on which the European Commission called for evidence before the summer. However, work is underway. The coming months should bring a more focused survey, seeking inputs on specific options that the Commission is exploring for reform. In addition, we expect the results of the evaluation of the most recent reform – the 2019 Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
This is likely to provide a concrete focus for the ongoing debate about AI, with the Commission setting out an intention to address licensing markets. You can also expect more about piracy of sports events and whether European collecting societies need to pay royalties to performers outside of Europe. For KR21, we will both be following closely what is said about Secondary Publication Rights and research exceptions (both of which featured in the call for evidence), but also underlining where else progress is needed, for example around eLending, out-of-commerce works, and possibilities to preserve digital works.
As underlined in the introduction, it will be a busy few months for research in Brussels and Strasbourg. It will be intense, but it is also an opportunity to make progress toward an EU legislative framework much more strongly focused on the needs of researchers, educators, readers and the libraries that they rely on.
As KR21, we will be encouraging members of our community to engage as much as possible in these processes. To make this easier, we will be sharing explainers and prompts, helping you to make sure that your experiences and perspectives can be heard. In turn, please take the time to work out who is responsible for EU issues in your relevant ministries, as well as to take a look at who is representing you in the European Parliament.
Watch this space!
7 September 2026
