W. 10 Policy Watch
Made in Europe Act
After several rounds of delays and revisions, the Made in Europe Act is expected to be adopted by the European commission this week. The proposal aims to strengthen the competitiveness of European local industries by prioritizing European-made and low-carbon goods in public procurements. According to a commission official, 44 changes were agreed on earlier this week, bringing the proposal closer to a final adoption.
Even after these new discussions, there has not been an agreement regarding the inclusion of friendly third countries like Switzerland and the UK in the bill. As of right now, these countries are not automatically covered by the provisions, meaning access to many public contracts and supply-chains will be affected.
On 1 March, the British Chambers of Commerce issued a statement expressing concern that the Act could complicate supply chains and impact UK–EU economic cooperation. They argue that restrictions in public procurement could affect both British firms and European companies integrated into cross-border production networks.
Implications for members
For member companies engaged in public procurement, manufacturing, or cross-border supply chains, the final scope of the Act will be important to monitor. If third countries are excluded from certain procurement frameworks, UK-based firms may face new barriers when bidding for EU public contracts.
At the same time, companies with production or operations within the EU may benefit from provisions favouring European-made goods. As details are finalised, the development represents another example of the evolving industrial and trade landscape shaping UK–EU business relations.
EU–UK Competition Cooperation Agreement
Last week, on the 25th of February, the UK and the European Commission signed a new EU–UK Competition Cooperation Agreement. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the European Commission and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in competition matters. Under the agreement, both sides will notify each other of significant merger and antitrust investigations, coordinate enforcement activities where appropriate, and protect the confidentiality of shared information.
The agreement also introduces principles for cooperation, including the possibility for one authority to request action from the other in cases where anti-competitive conduct affects its interests. While cooperation is strengthened, both authorities remain independent in their decision-making. This is the first standalone agreement between the UK and the EU focused specifically on competition cooperation since Brexit and is intended to supplement the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, marking a further step in its implementation.
Implications for members
For member companies operating in both the UK and Sweden, the agreement may help create more clarity around how competition investigations are handled across markets. With formal cooperation mechanisms in place, the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority will be better able to coordinate in cases involving cross-border mergers or antitrust matters.
Although the agreement does not change the competition rules themselves, it strengthens the working relationship between the two authorities. For businesses active in both jurisdictions, this represents another step in shaping the post-Brexit regulatory landscape.