This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission launches tech scale-up investment pact; digital health interoperability regulations published; Council debates Chips Act 2.0; new Russia sanctions adopted.
September 21, 2026 to September 27, 2026
Commission launches tech scale-up investment pact; digital health interoperability regulations published; Council debates Chips Act 2.0; new Russia sanctions adopted.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing a framework of measures for the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2024/1735 and (EU) 2024/3110.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Affordable Housing Act; Amending Directive (EU) 2022/2555 as regards simplification measures and alignment with the [Proposal for the Cybersecurity Act 2]; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing a framework of measures for the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2024/1735 and (EU) 2024/3110.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission and EIB Group launch European Institutional Investors Pact for tech scale-ups
On 21 September 2026, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group announced the European Institutional Investors Pact (EIIP) at the TechEU Equity Summit. The framework is intended to mobilise long-term institutional capital for European technology and scale-up companies, with thirteen institutional investors pledging support through the €15 billion European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) 2.0 and the €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund. President Ursula von der Leyen and EIB Group President Nadia Calviño stated the pact forms part of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, aiming to connect investors to later-stage and growth equity funds targeting strategic tech sectors, including AI, quantum, semiconductors, robotics, and advanced materials. The EIIP includes a Policy Dialogue Forum led by the Commission and an Investment Platform managed by EIB Group. The Scaleup Europe Fund, managed by EQT, will make direct investments in EU tech companies, and ETCI 2.0 aims to mobilise up to €80 billion in capital.
Commission greenlights Luxembourg's third payment request under NextGenerationEU
On 24 September 2026, the Commission gave a positive assessment to Luxembourg's third payment request for €92.2 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The request covers milestones in digitalisation, healthcare, biodiversity, and renewable energy, including deployment of quantum key distribution between Luxembourg and Belgium, and digital public services. Luxembourg supported the acquisition of over 42,000 zero-emission vehicles and installed 25 MWp of photovoltaic capacity. Legal reforms on healthcare and anti-money laundering compliance were also completed. The Commission has sent its preliminary assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee, which will deliver its opinion within four weeks. This payment would bring Luxembourg's total received RRF funds to €182 million, with 87% of plan targets fulfilled.
Speech by President von der Leyen: Protecting children's rights in the age of AI
On 21 September 2026, President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the high-level dialogue on ‘Protecting Children's Rights facing Artificial Intelligence’, referencing survey data and expert evidence regarding online harms to children. Von der Leyen discussed the recently presented EU KIDS Act, which proposes restricting social media access for children under 13 and implementing parental-supervised mini accounts for ages 13–15 with limited features and time limits. The Act shifts the burden of proof to platforms, requiring them to demonstrate their safety for children under DSA and DMA frameworks.
Press remarks by Commissioner Šefčovič on EU–Philippines trade relations
Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced a substantial agreement on a Free Trade Agreement with the Philippines following a video call with Philippine Secretary Cristina Roque. The deal liberalises over 94% of tariff lines and covers more than 97% of goods, aiming to expand bilateral trade beyond current levels of nearly €18 billion in goods and €10 billion in services. The agreement is expected to strengthen supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, and increase investment in renewable energy. Negotiators on both sides are tasked with concluding the agreement in the coming months.
Substantial agreement reached on EU–Philippines Free Trade Agreement
On 21 September 2026, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Philippine Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque announced a substantial conclusion of negotiations for an EU–Philippines Free Trade Agreement. The FTA will eliminate tariffs and improve market access, covering digital trade, government procurement, and energy. It includes strong sustainability provisions and protection for EU Geographical Indications. Bilateral trade reached €17.6 billion in goods in 2025 and €10.3 billion in services in 2024. Negotiations launched in 2015 resumed in March 2024; the finalisation process is now underway.
Speech by President von der Leyen at the Summit in Support of Multilateralism
President von der Leyen spoke at the Summit in Support of Multilateralism on 21 September 2026, emphasising the EU's network of trade agreements and support for shared standards and WTO reform. She referenced the UN's role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative and advocated for UN reforms to address rapid technological and geopolitical challenges, including AI and climate change. The EU supports the UN80 initiative for a more efficient United Nations.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2083 on MyHealth@EU
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2083 of 18 September 2026 sets cybersecurity, interoperability, and operational requirements for the MyHealth@EU platform, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2025/327 establishing the European Health Data Space. The Regulation details the central interoperability platform, compliance checks, technical specifications, and the roles of national contact points and the Commission as processor. The platform enables secure cross-border exchange of electronic health data, with phased obligations for Member States beginning 26 March 2029.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2099 on interoperable cross-border identification for health data exchange
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2099 of 21 September 2026 establishes requirements for cross-border identification and authentication of natural persons, health professionals, and healthcare providers for exchanging electronic health data under the European Health Data Space (Regulation (EU) 2025/327). Member States must notify healthcare attributes to the Commission by 26 March 2028. Electronic identification means must reach 'high' assurance level by 2030 for natural persons and 2032 for health professionals.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2098 on health data metadata for secondary use
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2098 of 18 September 2026 defines minimum metadata elements and characteristics for dataset descriptions by health data holders, enabling secondary use of electronic health data under Article 77(4) of Regulation (EU) 2025/327. The HealthDCAT-Application Profile (HealthDCAT-AP) is adopted as the metadata framework; obligations apply from 26 March 2029.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2164 amending restrictive measures against Russia
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2164 of 24 September 2026 amends Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643, adding one natural person to the sanctions list in response to Russia’s destabilising activities and hybrid attacks. The Decision enters into force upon publication in the Official Journal.
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2165 implementing Russia sanctions
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2165 of 24 September 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/2642, adding one natural person to the list of sanctioned entities in light of persistent hybrid attacks. The Regulation is directly applicable in all Member States.
EU Council
Competitiveness Council debates Chips Act 2.0 and merger control guidelines
On 24 September 2026, Internal Market and Industry ministers convened for the Competitiveness Council. The agenda included debates on Chips Act 2.0 and revision of merger control guidelines, along with updates on legislative proposals concerning the IAA, 28th regime, and the ECF.
Upcoming: Informal meeting of energy ministers (Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council)
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will hold an informal meeting of energy ministers on 28 September 2026.
Upcoming: Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) to discuss military support for Ukraine and hybrid threats
On 28 September 2026, the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) will address EU military support for Ukraine, hybrid threats, the Middle East situation, and public procurement in defence. High Representative Kaja Kallas will chair the European Defence Agency Steering Board in the margins.
