Briefing note

EU Digital Omnibus Briefing paper

The European Commission’s EU Digital Omnibus Package, published on 19 November 2025, sets out wide-ranging reforms designed to modernise and better align the EU’s digital regulatory landscape. We invite you to explore our new briefing paper and share your views - your input will help shape MRS’s response to the consultation. MRS will be submitting a formal response and welcomes comments from organisations by 13 February 2026.

The proposals aim to simplify and streamline requirements across GDPR, ePrivacy, data governance and cybersecurity legislation, while also updating key rules on AI development, cookie consent, research activities and data protection impact assessments. Notable changes include a more contextual approach to defining personal data, revised rules governing the training and deployment of AI, broader recognition of commercial research, and a consolidated framework for cookies and tracking technologies. Overall, the package seeks to reduce regulatory fragmentation, provide greater clarity for organisations operating across the EU and support responsible innovation in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Feedback required

Organisations are encouraged to share any comments or remarks via codeline@mrs.org.uk by Friday 13 February 2026. MRS will publish its final response.

Download the EU Digital Omnibus Proposal Briefing (PDF)

The Data Act 2025

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 marks a transformative moment in the UK’s data governance landscape and success for the research sector.

The Act clarifies the use of legitimate interests, expanding the scope for research and innovation, and should preserve EU data adequacy, the legislation strikes a balance between regulatory clarity and operational flexibility. For the research sector it offers a more enabling environment to harness data responsibly while maintaining public trust and international alignment.