European Commission proposes a European Innovation Act
On 10 September 2026, the European Commission presented its proposal for a European Innovation Act, which it positions as a key initiative under the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the Competitiveness Compass. According to the Commission, the Act is intended to help innovative ideas be developed, financed and scaled up within Europe, and to strengthen the EU's long-term competitiveness, prosperity and technological sovereignty.
The Commission's analysis is that Europe has world-class research, talent and creativity, but that innovators face different rules across Member States and often struggle to attract funding. In its words, ideas developed in Europe are too often turned into economic success by others, and elsewhere.
Two challenges targeted by the proposal
Access to finance. The Commission notes that many startups and scaleups hold patents and other intellectual property that are difficult to value, which makes it harder to attract investment. The proposed Act would introduce a common EU framework for IP valuation, a digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of IP, and expert support to help companies bring their ideas to market. The Commission estimates that these measures would generate around €35 million in administrative cost savings and unlock €10.2 billion per year in additional IP-backed venture capital and debt.
R&D procurement. The Act would establish a common procedure for R&D procurement, which the Commission says would offer greater legal certainty and help new technologies reach the market faster, including solutions for societal challenges such as health, education and clean mobility. It would also make it easier for public buyers from different Member States to carry out joint R&D procurements. The Commission puts the expected impact at €1 billion per year in savings for public buyers and €25.92 billion in additional annual profits for companies.
Regulatory sandboxes
Alongside the Act, the Commission has proposed a Council Recommendation on regulatory sandboxes: controlled, time-limited environments in which companies, researchers and public authorities can test new products, services or technologies under the supervision of regulators. Sandboxes already exist in some areas of EU law, but the Commission points out that there is no common approach across Europe. The Recommendation aims to create a common EU reference framework for areas not yet covered by EU legislation, building on lessons learned in Member States and in existing EU initiatives.
What happens next
The proposal will now be examined by the co-legislators. Catalisti will keep members informed of developments relevant to the chemistry and plastics sector.
More information
- Press release: Commission proposes new European Innovation Act (European Commission, 9 September 2026)
- Questions and answers on the European Innovation Act
- Factsheet on the European Innovation Act
- The European Innovation Act – policy page
- EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy
- Competitiveness Compass for the EU
Source: European Commission press release, 10 September 2026. All figures and impact estimates are the Commission's own.