On the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement on Digital Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore
INTA-PR-774422
Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Svenja Hahn
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The Committee on International Trade recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement, which sets binding rules on digital trade, including data flows, customs duties, and source code.¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur recommends that the Committee on International Trade give its consent to the conclusion of the Digital Trade Agreement with Singapore.¶
Key points
- The agreement permanently bans customs duties on electronic transmissions between the EU and Singapore.¶
- It prohibits authorisation requirements specifically targeting online services and recognises the legal validity of electronic contracts.
- It ensures legal certainty for electronic authentication services and protects against mandatory source code disclosure, while allowing authorities to access source code for legitimate reasons.
- The agreement guarantees consumer protection online, protects users from spam, and includes a discipline on open government data.
- It encourages regulatory cooperation, supports cross-border interoperability of e-invoicing standards, promotes cybersecurity coordination, and recognises cooperation on standards and technical regulations.
- The agreement respects fundamental rights, including privacy and data protection, and retains the right of both parties to develop policies for emerging digital challenges.¶
Who is affected
Legal basis: Articles 207(4) and 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶