Flagship 2: Enabling deep tech innovation through experimentation spaces and public procurement

This flagship focuses on facilitating innovation through improved framework conditions including experimental approaches to regulation, through so-called regulatory sandboxes, as well as test beds, living labs and innovation procurement.

The Commission issued a staff working document in July 2023 that clarifies relevant use cases of regulatory sandboxes, test beds and living labs in order to support policymakers and innovators in their approach to experimentation in the EU. This document includes an overview of the main existing experimentation clauses and regulatory sandboxes in EU law.

The Commission established an expert group which focuses on the use of emerging technologies in support of the public sector to improve, optimise and innovate its operations and service provision. This work could also identify areas for experimentation on advanced emerging digital technologies by public authorities in controlled environments (regulatory sandboxes).

The Commission also updated the new R&I&D Framework to reflect economic and technological developments further simplifying the rules applied by EU countries to implement RDI aimed at innovative solutions including in digital, health and carbon-neutral technologies that support the transition to a green and digital economy. 

The Commission will update its EU wide benchmarking of national policy frameworks and investments on innovation procurement in Europe. This includes both the investments in R&D procurement and the investments in public procurement of innovative solutions ((PPI procurement).

Relevant links

Benchmarking of innovation procurement investments and policy frameworks across Europe

The Commission will create an Edge AI Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs)  to develop AI prototypes using low-power computing technologies. The TEF will collaborate with other EU partnerships, provide testing facilities for SMEs, and focus on implementing AI components in connected autonomous objects.

Relevant links

Partnership for Realization and Validation of AI hardware Leadership

At the Competitiveness Council in December 2022, following the adoption of Council Conclusions on New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA), the Commission launched a call to governments to announce actions in support of the NEIA. This announcement was based on the understanding that full support and engagement from the Member States and Associated Countries is needed to ensure the implementation of the NEIA. 

The actions were gathered through the EIC Forum, a group of Member States and Associated Countries' public authorities and bodies in charge of innovation policies and programmes, with the aim of promoting coordination and dialogue on the development of the Union's innovation ecosystem.