Law

Digital Single Market: Regulatory Challenges and Competition

This two-day advanced course on the EU Digital Single Market focuses on the DSA, DMA, and related legal challenges. It is intended for legal professionals and staff in EU institutions and public administrations who work with EU digital regulation.

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About this course

This comprehensive two-day course offers an in-depth examination of the evolving legal landscape of the EU Digital Single Market, with particular emphasis on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Tailored for legal professionals, and professionals working within EU institutions and public administrations, the course provides an advanced overview of the legal instruments driving the digital transformation of the EU internal market.

The course opens with an exploration of the digitalisation process within the EU, presenting several key legal and technical concepts. Participants are introduced to the legislative framework underpinning the Digital Single Market, gaining insight into the broader implications of digital regulation for EU citizens, businesses, and governments. Focused sessions then analyse the structure, objectives, and practical implementation of the DSA and DMA, underlining their relevance for legal and regulatory work across EU bodies and national administrations.

Key topics include the regulation of digital platforms, the role and responsibilities of intermediary service providers and gatekeepers, and the evolving interaction between EU competition law and digital market dynamics. The course also addresses copyright law, e-commerce, consumer protection, data ownership, data protection, and the balance between digital market regulation and the safeguarding of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and privacy.

Designed to address essential aspects of the regulatory landscape with practical applications, the course provides participants with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to address real-world legal challenges arising from the operation and enforcement of EU digital legislation. By the end of the programme, participants will have strengthened their ability to understand and apply key aspects of the EU Digital Single Market framework in their professional setting.

You will learn about:

The core objectives and legal foundations of the Digital Single Market
The structure and enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA)
How platforms, gatekeepers, and online intermediaries are regulated under EU law
The relationship between digital regulation, competition law, and fundamental rights
Legal considerations in consumer protection, e-commerce, and data governance

Methodology:

Each half-day will be structured on presentations designed to provide knowledge and practical insights on the EU Digital Single Market and on the selected topics of the course. Participants are encouraged to engage in debates with the experts to ensure a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Additionally, the Q&A sessions do not only allow punctual clarifications but also offer the occasion for open discussion on topics related to the EU Digital Single Market.

Participants will receive access to a dedicated Moodle platform both before and after the course. This platform will contain course materials, background readings, and key legal texts in advance. After the course, Moodle will remain accessible for a set period, allowing participants to revisit content, download materials, and follow up on course discussions.

This course will equip you with the legal and analytical skills needed to navigate, interpret, and apply the EU’s evolving digital legislation. You will develop a deeper understanding of how regulatory frameworks like the DSA and DMA affect the internal market, and gain practical tools to manage legal questions involving digital platforms, data use, and user rights.

The course is intended for legal professionals, civil servants, EU institution staff, and public administration officials who are involved in the interpretation, implementation, or adjudication of EU law, particularly in areas linked to the Digital Single Market, digital regulation, or EU digital policy.

Project number: 2511512

Course venue
European Centre for Judges and Lawyers – EIPA Luxembourg
8 rue Nicolas Adames
1114 Luxembourg

Programme Organiser
Ms Elisa Dolci
Tel: +352 691 108 038
e.dolci@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, lunches and a networking reception. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. Most rates are including breakfast and tourist tax. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via the links below. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.

Kirchberg

Hotel D’Coque***, via https://www.coque.lu/coque-hotel-superior/online-booking, tel.: +352 43 60 60 222

Luxembourg Centre

Hotel Parc Plaza****, at the rate of €182, (Reservation code: EIPA0118): https://www.goereshotels.com/parc-plaza-en
Hotel Parc Bellevue***, at the rate of €150, (Reservation code: EIPA0118): https://www.goereshotels.com/belle-vue-en: +352 44 23 23 23 23; e-mail: reservation@goereshotels.com;
Hotel Simoncini****, at the rate of €190, tel.: +352 22 28 44; e-mail: simhotel@pt.lu or simoncinihotel@pt.lu; https://www.hotelsimoncini.lu/.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants. EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.

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Our experts

See profile

Project leader

Claudio Matera

EU institutional law, EU external relations law, EU AFSJ law

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Alexandre de Streel

University of Namur

Programme

09.00	Welcome Dr Claudio Matera
09.15	The evolving EU Regulation for Tech platforms and the current EU Digital Rulebook This session examines the rapid evolution of EU regulation targeting digital and tech platforms, set against the backdrop of the broader EU digital strategy. It will introduce the main components of the current EU digital rulebook, including the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act, and explore how these instruments aim to shape fair, transparent, and competitive digital markets. Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
10.15	Q&A
10.30	THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT (DSA) The structure of the Digital Services Act package and of the DSA This session begins with the general objectives and structure of the Digital Services Act package (the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act). A brief presentation of the main developments and context (regarding the position of EU institutions, third-country companies and even public actors, such as prosecutors and judges beyond the EU) highlights the significance of the adopted legislation as a world-leading instrument for regulating the “big tech”. The focus is then turned to the analysis of the structure, aims and principles of the Digital Services Act (Regulation 2022/2065). The analysis covers the principle of “what is illegal offline should be illegal online”. The most prominent issues covered are the definition of Digital Services (that are regulated by the DSA), the different level of requirements depending on the size and type of the service provider and the new regulatory regime of the DSA (on public scrutiny, conditional Commission oversight, specific obligations that apply to big online platforms etc.). Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
11.15	Q&A
11.30	Break
11.45	Giving effect to the aim of countering illegal goods, services and contents online Having laid down the foundations, this session discusses the tools to achieve the objective of countering illegal goods, services and contents online. It analyses this objective and the specific principles, obligations and mechanisms that are articulated to provide a contemporary legal framework on regulating online commerce (thus preparing for the half-day session dedicated to this topic). Reference is also made to the obligation of platforms to weed out illegal and harmful content (e.g. child pornography). Additionally, a brief discussion is launched on the willingness of the EU legislator to make the DSA a futureproof piece of legislation, especially in light of the requirements for access to some information to the public and to researchers (such information will facilitate the identification of threats or flaws in the design or in the application of the DSA, and will ultimately inform its future adjustments). This discussion allows to touch upon specific legal obligations that might arise (or not) and that might go beyond the access to some data (e.g. trade secrets). Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
12.15	Q&A
12.30	An ambitious act difficult to implement? This session relies on some prominent criticism regarding the DSA and, especially, its implementation. For instance, the introduction of the sharing of user content as a criterion for the restriction of targeted “surveillance ads” is discussed as a potential threat of watering down this restriction in practice. Also, some more practical concerns regarding the compliance of smaller providers with the complex set of new rules is debated among the participants. Finally, the complementarity between a competition law-oriented approach and a more regulation oriented approach (as two tools that could be used concomitantly) is discussed. Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
13.00	Lunch Break
14.00	THE DIGITAL MARKETS ACT (DMA) The structure and aims of the DMA This session introduces the general framework of the DMA and how it pursues the objective of avoiding that large online platforms abuse their market power to the detriment of consumers and service or goods providers (ex-ante regulation). Mention is made of the central place of “gatekeepers”, the exclusive competence of the Commission to implement the DMA and the existence of specific obligations lying upon the gatekeepers (such as the introduction of a specific compliance function). The possibility for third parties to seek damages from designated gatekeepers before national courts, as well as the early implementation of the DMA by some gatekeepers is also discussed. The distinction between practices that are generally prohibited and practices to be evaluated following a case by case assessment allows for a better understanding of the overall philosophy of the DMA. Participants become familiar with the origin of the prohibition of some practices (the case-law and the established practice of the Commission regarding anti-competitive effects). The introduction of hefty fines against providers that fail to meet their obligations is discussed as a pragmatic means to guarantee the effectiveness of this ambitious act. To facilitate the transition to the following sessions, reference is made to the adoption of the DMA implementing regulation. Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
14.45	Q&A
15.00	The criteria defining a “gatekeeper” and their specific obligations This session offers a more focused analysis of the criteria to define a “gatekeeper” according to the DMA: 1. providing a core platform service that serves as an important gateway for business users to reach end users; 2. having a significant impact on the EU internal market; 3. enjoying an entrenched and durable position. Mention is made of “core platform services” that do not necessarily meet those criteria and to the obligations lying upon them. Participants are guided through the specific obligations that the DMA enshrines for gatekeepers. To offer practically and procedurally precise information, this session relies both on the DMA regulation and on the DMA implementing regulation (e.g. regarding the form, content and details of notifications and submissions; the suspension requests; the exemption requests etc.). Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
15.45	Q&A
16.00	Break
16.15	Enforcing the DMA in cases of non-compliance This session discusses the options and procedures available for the Commission in case of non-compliance with the DMA. Participants are introduced to what happens in case of punctual non-compliance or of systemic non-compliance. The calculation of fines is mentioned together with procedural issues, such as the exercise of the right (of gatekeepers) to be heard, the terms of disclosure, access to preliminary findings and applicable time limits. Prof. Dr Alexandre de Streel
17.00	Networking Reception

09.00	E-COMMERCE & CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE EU DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET Mapping the legislative framework beyond the Digital Services Act The session discusses the historical perspective and the overall architecture of regulating the digital single market from the Electronic Commerce Directive (2000) to now, with the interactions between horizontal pieces of legislation and sector specific rules, from directives to regulations. Michèle Ledger, Head of practice at Cullen International, Lecturer at the University of Namur and Research Fellow at CERRE
9.45	Q&A
10.00	Protecting consumers and minors in the EU digital single market This session focusses on the recent reforms aiming at increasing the protection of consumers (and minors in particular) including those stemming from the DSA (terms and conditions, dark patterns, advertising, traceability of traders,..) and the upcoming Digital Fairness Act. Areas of tension with national legislation will also be discussed. Michèle Ledger
10.45	Q&A
11.00	Break
11.30	Protecting citizens in the EU digital single market This session analyses how the EU’s regulatory environment is evolving to protect citizens in the digital single market. Various legal instruments will be examined including the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (and its upcoming reforms) and the European Media Freedom Act. Areas of tension with national legislation will also be discussed. Michèle Ledger
12.15	Q&A
12.30	Lunch Break
14.00	ROUND TABLE ON THE FUTURE OF THE EU DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET Moderated by Dr Claudio Matera Further details about the speakers will be shared shortly.
16.00	Closing remarks and end of the course Dr Claudio Matera