A dataset on EU legislation for the digital world

This Bruegel dataset seeks to provide a comprehensive view of:
- legislative measures relevant to digitalisation enacted during the 2009-2014 and 2014-2019 European Parliament terms, or which were enacted or are expected during the current legislative session (2019-2024); and
- governmental and non-governmental bodies at EU level that contribute to the implementation and enforcement of legislative measures related to digitalisation.
To download the tables described in the memo below, please use the download button in the top-left of the page. In case of comments or requests, please contact us at [email protected].
A barrage of legislative instruments
A dizzying array of digital laws have been enacted, mostly under the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market (DSM) programmes. Other measures have been enacted or are likely to be enacted during the current legislative term.
In the current term, a Digital Markets Act (DMA), a Digital Services Act (DSA), a Data Act, an Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), a Data Governance Act (DGA), the European Health Data Space (EHDS), an update to the regulation on electronic identification and trust services (eIDAS 2) and a measure to strengthen the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure (NIS2) have all either been enacted or are in the legislative process.
The authors believe that the research community is eager for tools to help them make sense of this stream of legislative measures.
In the 2014-2019 legislative term, the European Parliament’s Policy Department called for studies to assess the overall results of the legislative term. De Streel and Hocepied (2019) on legal characteristics of the Digital Single Market (DSM) provided a workable taxonomy, which Marcus et al (2019) used as a basis for assessing the economic results of the same measures. An update to this work covering measures in the 2019-2024 legislative terms can be found here.
Sources, limitations, and disclaimers
Although the authors have worked to ensure that the information provided is accurate, we make no guarantees due to the nature of the legislative process.
Much of the information in our tables is based on standard, publicly available sources. This is especially the case for legislative measures that have already been enacted. When we provide information about planned initiatives, the information is often based on official pronouncements of the European institutions, such as European Commission work programmes or State of the European Union addresses. Our assessment of planned initiatives also reflects first-hand knowledge, information from colleagues and other sources.
In case of comments or requests, please contact us at [email protected].
Understanding the tables in this dataset
Table 1 provides an overview of legislative measures enacted, or which are likely to be enacted during the current legislative session, roughly following the taxonomy of de Streel and Hocepied (2019). We classify the measures depending on whether they primarily relate to (1) research and innovation; (2) industrial policy; (3) connectivity; (4) data and privacy; (5) cybersecurity; (6) law enforcement; (7) trust and safety; (8) e-commerce and consumer protection; (9) competition, IPR and media; and (10) finance. We distinguish among (a) measures that have been enacted, versus (b) those that are in the legislative process, versus (c) initiatives that have been announced, but that are not yet formally in the legislative process.
To find the detailed text of legislation that has been enacted or negotiated, please follow the links in the dataset.
Table 2 provides a list and taxonomy of the number of governmental and non-governmental bodies that in one way or another contribute to the implementation and enforcement of EU legislative measures that relate to digitalisation. Only EU bodies that have a role in implementing EU law relevant to digital services are included. Member state implementation bodies are not shown, nor are any expert groups that serve solely to provide the European Commission with high-level input and advice with the drafting of delegated or implementing acts. The thematic taxonomy is the same as that of Table 1. In Table 2, we distinguish between (1) EU institutions, (2) Executive agencies, (3) Decentralised agencies, (4) Governing boards, (5) Independent bodies, (6) Advisory bodies, (7) Networks of Member States, and (8) European standardisation organisations (ESOs).
Marcus, J. S., G. Petropoulos, and T. Yeung (2019) ‘Contribution to growth. The European Digital Single Market. Delivering economic benefits for citizens and businesses’, available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/IPOL_STU(2019)631044 [accessed 18 July 2023]
de Streel, A. and C. Hocepied (2019) ‘Contributing to Growth: European Digital Single - Market Delivering improved rights for citizens and businesses’, available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/IPOL_STU(2019)638395 [accessed 18 July 2023]