EU Workshop on Digital Services Act with Enlargement Countries

EC Digital Strategy News (AI Act)

Published March 13th, 2026

Detected March 16th, 2026

Summary

The European Commission hosted a workshop for EU enlargement countries on March 12-13, 2026, to discuss the Digital Services Act (DSA) and platform regulation. The event aimed to support these countries in their accession process by presenting ongoing DSA activities and addressing emerging online risks.

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What changed

The European Commission, through DG CONNECT and DG ENEST, organized a technical assistance workshop on March 12-13, 2026, for representatives from EU enlargement countries. The workshop focused on presenting the European Union's work under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and supporting these nations in their accession process concerning platform regulation. Participants included representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine, alongside EU Member State Digital Services Coordinators and civil society experts.

This event serves as an informational exchange and capacity-building initiative, highlighting the DSA's role in addressing online risks such as illegal content, unsafe products, and risks to minors. While this workshop itself does not impose new obligations or deadlines on regulated entities, it underscores the EU's commitment to harmonizing digital platform regulation across Europe and supporting candidate countries in adopting similar frameworks. Compliance officers should note the ongoing international engagement and the importance of the DSA framework in the broader European digital policy landscape.

Source document (simplified)

On 12 and 13 March, DG CONNECT and DG ENEST hosted representatives from EU enlargement countries in the framework of a TAIEX (technical assistance and information exchange) workshop to present the work ongoing under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and support the accession process in the area of platform regulation.

This event followed a first workshop held in June 2024.

The Commission services, joined by representatives of Digital Services Coordinators of EU Member States, civil society, and other TAIEX experts, met representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine in Brussels. The Commission updated enlargement countries on the activities carried out in the EU under the DSA and discussed with them emerging online risks and the state of play of the accession process in this area.

EU Member States and enlargement countries face similar societal risks stemming from online platforms, including the spread of illegal content online, the sale of unsafe products and risks for the wellbeing of minors. The DSA is a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to keep users in the EU safe and empowered on online platforms. The DSA protects citizens’ fundamental rights online by regulating online services such as social media platforms, marketplaces, and app stores. It ensures a safer digital space by addressing issues like addictive design, illegal content, manipulative tactics, and more. Two years after its implementation, the DSA already has a significant impact on the online environment in the EU.

Group picture with the participants.