The EU’s 2025 Work Plan: What It Means for Consumer Choice
The European Commission’s 2025 Work Programme, titled “Moving Forward Together: A Bolder, Simpler, Faster Union,” outlines key priorities that will shape policies impacting consumers across the continent. As consumer advocates, we at the Consumer Choice Center (CCC) are closely analyzing these plans to ensure they prioritize innovation, consumer choice, and regulatory simplicity rather than burdening citizens and businesses with excessive red tape.
We’ve categorized the most significant aspects under three pillars: Fit for Growth, Tech Innovation, and Lifestyle Choices.

Red Tape Loss
At the end of last year, we published a report on the Red Tape Loss, detailing how excessive bureaucracy and overregulation in Europe are not only driving up costs for consumers but also stifling innovation, limiting access to new products, and restricting service availability. You can read the full report here.
1. Fit for Growth: A Competitive and Consumer-Friendly Market
The EU recognizes that bureaucracy and overregulation have stifled economic growth and entrepreneurship. The 2025 Work Programme sets out several measures aimed at reducing burdens on businesses and consumers, but will they be enough?
Regulatory Simplification and Investment Boosts
- The Commission plans to reduce reporting obligations by at least 25% and by 35% for SMEs, aiming to make compliance easier for businesses. A streamlined regulatory environment should, in theory, allow businesses to focus on innovation rather than paperwork.
- The Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator Act and European Biotech Act aim to cut through bureaucratic delays in biotech and energy-intensive industries. While decarbonization is important, it must be done in a way that does not restrict consumer choice or drive up costs.
- The Savings and Investment Union aims to boost capital market access for European businesses, which could help lower prices and increase product variety for consumers.
Consumer Win: Less red tape means faster innovation and more choices.
Risk: Will the EU truly simplify regulations, or just create different ones?
2. Tech Innovation: A Digital Future That Works for Consumers
The Commission is betting big on AI, quantum computing, and cross-border digital services, but risks remain if regulations become overly restrictive.
Digital Networks and AI Development
- The Digital Networks Act will promote cross-border network operations, potentially reducing telecom costs for consumers.
- The Apply AI Strategy and AI Factories Initiative aim to boost Europe’s AI sector, but it remains to be seen whether the upcoming AI regulations will encourage innovation or stifle it with excessive compliance costs.
- European Business Wallets will simplify business-to-business and consumer transactions, potentially enhancing trust and reducing friction in digital purchases.
Consumer Win: More connectivity and AI-powered services could enhance consumer experiences.
Risk: If AI regulations are too restrictive, Europe may lag behind global competitors, limiting tech-driven consumer benefits.
3. Lifestyle Choices: A Balance Between Sustainability and Freedom
The EU is advancing sustainability policies, but consumer freedom must remain protected.
Food Security and Agriculture
- The Vision for Agriculture and Food aims to ensure stable food prices and supply, but could lead to more intervention in food markets.
- A proposed EU-wide biotechnology framework could allow for faster approval of new food innovations, benefiting consumers with healthier and more sustainable options.
Energy and Consumer Costs
- The Clean Industrial Deal focuses on reducing emissions while maintaining competitiveness, but consumers must be protected from rising energy costs.
- Plans to phase out Russian energy imports entirely could impact energy prices and availability, making affordability a key issue.
Consumer Win: Sustainable food and energy policies can improve long-term affordability.
Risk: Overregulation may lead to price increases and reduced choices in food and energy markets.
Conclusion: Will 2025 Be the Year of Consumer Choice?
While the EU’s work plan includes positive steps for economic simplification and technological innovation, the success of these initiatives will depend on how they are implemented.
Consumers benefit most when markets are free, competitive, and innovative—not when excessive regulations limit choices. The CCC will continue to monitor and advocate for policies that empower consumers, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and promote a vibrant, innovation-driven economy.
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