The European Commission was very active in the area of digital policy during the last legislative period. The EU has taken on a significant role in various areas, such as platform regulation and artificial intelligence, which also has an impact on Switzerland.

OFCOM worked in collaboration with the FDFA State Secretariat (Europe Division) to conduct an analysis of the impact of EU digital policy on Switzerland and Swiss companies. A total of 33 EU measures and initiatives were analysed in depth.

The findings show that there are currently no significant risks to Swiss companies' access to the single market. In areas such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity, however, Swiss companies could face additional barriers to market access. The Federal Administration will therefore continue its close monitoring of digital policy developments in the EU, while the Federal Council has already taken action in several areas and implemented appropriate measures for Switzerland. On 12 February 2025, it decided in favour of a Swiss regulatory approach to artificial intelligence, based on an AI overview.

The next comprehensive analysis of EU digital policy is scheduled for early 2027.

Regular analysis

In cooperation with the FDFA State Secretariat (Europe Division), OFCOM ensures regular monitoring of the impact that the EU's digital strategy could have on Switzerland. The Federal Council issued the corresponding mandate as part of the 2016 Digital Switzerland Strategy. Monitoring is carried out within the framework of the Interdepartmental Coordination Group on EU Digital Policy in conjunction with all federal offices concerned.

The current analysis examines the scope of the European Commission's digital policy activities up to the end of 2024 (von der Leyen Commission I) and analyses their potential impact on Switzerland. It should be noted that this document is a snapshot reflecting the situation as it currently stands (status: 18 December 2024).

EU Digital policy

Digital policy is one of the European Commission's political priorities. Since February 2020, the EU has had a digital strategy that includes over 50 different measures and has in recent years set priorities through a range of legislative proposals in areas such as online platforms, data policy and artificial intelligence.

Publication of report on EU data policy monitoring