Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and replies published from 06.04.2026 to 12.04.2026. Key policy areas addressed include data governance under the GDPR and European Health Data Space, the energy efficiency of digital infrastructure, competition in the AI supply chain, and the implementation of single market rules like the Geo-blocking Regulation. The Commission’s responses consistently emphasize adherence to existing legal frameworks, delineate between EU and Member State competencies, and signal forthcoming strategic initiatives, such as a new Public Procurement Act and a package on data centre energy efficiency. For digital policy professionals, these exchanges offer crucial insights into the Commission’s current enforcement priorities and its roadmap for future regulatory adjustments in the digital and green transitions.
❗ Commission Reaffirms Stance on Geo-blocking and IBAN Discrimination
In a response on 7 April 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné addressed concerns raised in question E-000390/26 regarding technical barriers in online checkouts that discriminate against non-domestic customers. The Commission reiterated that under the Geo-blocking Regulation, traders cannot apply different conditions of access, including for payment, based on a customer’s location. While noting that enforcement in individual cases is a national competence, the Commission highlighted its ongoing evaluation of the regulation, set to be published in 2026, and its efforts to combat IBAN discrimination through infringement procedures and engagement with Member States.
❗ Commission Highlights Harmonised EU Rules on Payment Fraud Liability
Responding to a question from Lynn Boylan (The Left) on authorised push payment (APP) fraud, Commissioner Albuquerque clarified the EU’s legal framework in a reply on 7 April 2026. In her answer to E-000705/26, she noted that the Payment Services Directive (PSD2) establishes a principle of maximum harmonisation, which constrains the ability of Member States to introduce separate national liability regimes. The Commission pointed to its proposed revisions in the PSD3/Payment Services Regulation package, which include enhanced fraud prevention and reimbursement measures and are currently under negotiation by the co-legislators following a provisional political agreement on 26 November 2025.
❗ Commission Upholds Media Freedom Principles in Response to Journalist’s Dismissal
In a joint answer on 7 April 2026 to multiple MEPs regarding the dismissal of a journalist, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to media freedom as enshrined in the EU Charter and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which entered into application in August 2025. The Commission stated in its response to E-004502/25 that it cannot comment on individual cases and has not contacted the news agency involved, but stressed that the EMFA provides unprecedented safeguards against political interference and for editorial independence.
❓ MEP Raises GDPR Concerns Over Biometric Age Verification Tools
In Parliamentary Question E-001251/2026 submitted on 25 March 2026, Catherine Griset (PfE) questioned the Commission on the GDPR compliance of age verification services. Citing a recent fine against the service Yoti in Spain for unlawful processing of biometric data, the question seeks clarity on the Commission’s enforcement strategy, its stance on data sharing with non-EU countries, and potential measures to combat irreversible identity theft. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines Strategy for Data Centre Energy Efficiency
In a reply on 7 April 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed the Commission’s focus on ensuring digital growth is powered by sustainable energy. In response to question E-004928/25, he announced a forthcoming Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package and a Strategy Roadmap on Digitalisation and AI in 2026. These initiatives will build on the current reporting scheme to introduce an EU-wide rating and label for the sustainability of data centres. The Commission is also working with Member States to ensure accurate reporting ahead of these new measures.
❗ Commission Signals Upcoming Public Procurement Act to Improve Data Exchange
Executive Vice-President Séjourné, in a response on 7 April 2026 to question E-000637/2026 on public procurement transparency, confirmed that current directives allow for redactions of trade secrets and do not mandate the publication of transactional data like invoices. The answer revealed that the Commission is exploring how to improve secure data exchange and performance-based monitoring in its preparation for a new Public Procurement Act, announced for the second quarter of 2026.
❗ Commission Clarifies Scope of European Health Data Space on Data Collection
In a reply on 7 April 2026 to Gerald Hauser (PfE), Commissioner Várhelyi clarified the EU’s role in COVID-19 mortality statistics and the scope of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The Commission stated it did not issue guidance on classifying deaths, as this falls within national competence. The response to E-000205/26 underscores that the EHDS Regulation focuses on making existing data available cross-border and ensuring data quality transparency, not on regulating data collection at the source, and that investigating national statistics is a Member State responsibility.
❓ MEPs Scrutinise Supplier Dominance in AI Gigafactory Procurement
A cross-party group of MEPs led by Oliver Schenk (PPE) raised concerns about potential vendor lock-in and dominance by a single supplier in the procurement for AI gigafactory initiatives in question E-001255/2026, submitted on 25 March 2026. The MEPs ask how the Commission will ensure competition, promote the participation of SMEs and emerging European suppliers, and use these initiatives to reduce Europe’s strategic dependencies. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission Questioned on Systemic Flaw in Funding & Tenders Portal
Isilda Gomes (S&D), in question E-001246/2026 from 25 March 2026, highlighted a potential structural flaw in the EU’s Funding & Tenders Portal. It is alleged that an organisation’s participant identification code (PIC) can be used in applications without its consent, leading to wrongful disqualification from programmes like Creative Europe. The question asks what urgent measures the Commission will take to fix the system and reassess the eligibility of affected organisations. A response is pending.
❗ Commission Defends Environmental Omnibus Package, Citing Streamlining Efforts
In a response on 7 April 2026 to César Luena (S&D), Commissioner Roswall defended the environmental omnibus package. The answer to E-000209/26 states the package aims to reduce administrative burdens and streamline procedures without affecting underlying environmental objectives. The Commission also noted that the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database was deemed ineffective and will be incorporated into a new Common Data Platform on Chemicals, and confirmed that a revision of the Water Framework Directive will undergo a rigorous impact assessment.
The Commission’s answers this week suggest a dual focus on consolidating existing legal frameworks and preparing the ground for future policy. A recurring theme is the clear delineation of responsibilities, with the Commission frequently positioning itself as a guardian of EU-level principles while deferring to national authorities for direct enforcement in areas like IBAN discrimination and health data collection. This approach reinforces the principle of subsidiarity but also places the onus on stakeholders to engage at both the EU and national levels.
Simultaneously, the Commission signals a forward-looking agenda aimed at refining and expanding the regulatory landscape. Announcements concerning a Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package, a new Public Procurement Act, and the ongoing evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation indicate a strategic effort to address emerging challenges in digital sustainability and market fairness. This suggests a policy posture that is both procedural and proactive, focused on ensuring the current legislative framework is correctly applied while actively scoping the next wave of regulatory interventions.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
