Brussels, Tuesday 24 March
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted this morning by a large majority my report for opinion on the EU Space Act.
The agreement reached a large majority, from La Gauche through the Greens/EFA and Renew to the European People’s Party (EPP). It has a strong orientation towards a European space market that guarantees our sovereignty.
Entering the European market means complying with European rules
The opinion of which I am the rapporteur seeks to clarify and align the authorisation regimes for space operations, on the basis of a simple principle: all operators selling space services in the EU are bound by the same rules, regardless of their nationality (Article 15).
In the same vein, our Committee recommended a strict framework for the equivalence regime for third countries, including a time limit of three years and the possibility for Member States to request the withdrawal of an equivalence decision (Article 105).
Defending European space competitiveness
On my initiative, our opinion also recommends limiting the derogations for launchers from third countries that do not comply with the Regulation, in cases where no European alternative is available, and only to carry out government and Community programmes – as was the case for launching Galileo satellites in 2024 (Article 19).
In addition, we propose the creation of an office dedicated to the competitiveness of the space sector and support for SMEs and start-ups, in order to give them every chance of becoming European champions of the future (Article 40a).
Securing our space sovereignty
Finally, the IMCO opinion foresees safeguards against the risks of third country statutory audits in space procurement (Article 26), as well as strengthened foreign investment screening measures (Article 95a).
My work continues
While the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (the committee responsible) discussed Ms Elena Donazzan’s draft report this morning, it appears that two visions of the Space Law are now facing each other.
An integrated and protective space market, capable of creating an environment favourable to investment, while reducing Europe’s dependence on foreign powers. This is the vision set out by Mario Draghi in his 2024 report.
And that of a market open to the four winds and a space law devoid of any regulatory ambition, leaving our industry at the mercy of appetite, particularly in the United States.
In the negotiations that are starting, I will continue to advocate for an ambitious space law that guarantees our sovereignty.
François Kalfon
MEP
Member of IMCO committee
Sources
- Avis de la commission IMCO adopté
- Proposition de Règlement relatif à la sécurité, à la résilience et à la durabilité des activités spatiales dans l’Union
- Oeil