The European Commission Launches Public Consultations on the Future of EU Data Legislation

Brussels, 9 July 2025 – The European Commission announced today that it has officially launched a set of public consultations aimed at evaluating and shaping the next phase of the European Union’s data legislative framework. The initiative focuses on three cornerstone instruments of the EU data strategy:

  • Regulation on the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data
  • Open Data Directive (ODD)
  • Data Governance Act (DGA)

These legislative acts have been fundamental in enabling data-driven innovation, enhancing the reuse of public sector information, and promoting trust and interoperability in data sharing across Member States. However, as the digital ecosystem evolves rapidly, the Commission is now seeking updated, evidence-based input from stakeholders to assess how these instruments are functioning and where improvements or recalibrations may be needed.

Why These Consultations Matter

The consultations are part of a broader reflection on the future architecture of the European data economy and its legal underpinnings. They reflect a growing awareness that the data landscape — driven by artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud computing, and cross-border data flows — demands a coherent, agile, and interoperable regulatory framework.

Specifically, the Commission intends to gather views and feedback on:

  • Opportunities and challenges linked to data access and reuse
  • Barriers of a legal, administrative, or technical nature
  • Cross-border interoperability issues
  • Economic and innovation-related impacts
  • Practical implementation experiences and suggestions for improvement

The consultations target a broad and diverse group of respondents, including:

  • Businesses and industry associations
  • Public sector bodies
  • Researchers and academic institutions
  • Civil society organizations
  • Individual stakeholders involved in data sharing or data policy

The Legislative Instruments in Focus

1. Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation

Adopted in 2018, this Regulation was designed to eliminate restrictions on the location of non-personal data within the EU, aiming to stimulate a competitive and integrated data economy.

2. Open Data Directive (ODD)

This directive promotes the availability and reuse of public sector data, including high-value datasets, to stimulate innovation, enhance transparency, and support the development of AI and smart services.

3. Data Governance Act (DGA)

The DGA, which entered into application in 2023, lays the groundwork for trustworthy mechanisms for data sharing, including the role of data intermediaries and the framework for altruistic data sharing.

📅 Key Dates and Participation

The consultation is open from 1 July 2025 to 25 September 2025.

All interested parties are invited to participate by responding to the Commission’s targeted questionnaires and submitting their insights.

For professionals working in the fields of digital services, artificial intelligence, data governance, public administration, cloud computing, or research, this is a strategic opportunity to contribute directly to the evolution of EU law.

The feedback collected will inform potential revisions and complementary legislative proposals, ensuring that the EU’s data framework remains future-proof, innovation-friendly, and aligned with its broader goals of digital sovereignty and a European single market for data.

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