Explainers

The digital transition is crucial for the EU's economic growth and strategic autonomy. The EU wants to ensure that Europe fully seizes the opportunities offered by the digital decade. 

The EU has developed strong laws to protect patents, industrial designs, copyrights as well as local agricultural, industrial and craft products.

EU rules ensure toys placed on the EU market are among the safest ones in the world.

The European Research Area aims to create a single EU market for research, innovation and technology. It encourages the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and helps align national research policies and programmes.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is the world's first digital regulation that makes digital companies across the EU accountable for the content posted on their platforms.

The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) is crucial to foster investment in research and development, while promoting creativity and fair competition.

Goods imported to the EU from the rest of the world are subject to tariffs that follow the rules and principles of the World Trade Organization.

EU quality schemes safeguard the heritage of Europe's agricultural products. They make quality products easily recognisable for consumers and offer market opportunities to producers, including ones outside the EU.

The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is part of the EU’s work to fight tax evasion and avoidance. It is composed of countries which have failed to fulfil their commitments to comply with tax good governance criteria within a specific timeframe, and countries which have refused to do so.

Artificial intelligence is transforming society and the economy, bringing benefits, but also risks. The EU and its member states aim to ensure AI is human-centric and trustworthy.