(Adnkronos) – The European Council has adopted a new legislative framework for the screening of foreign direct investments, aimed at strengthening the EU’s capacity to identify, assess, and address security and public order risks related to them. This was announced in an official statement, which highlights that the new rules will replace the framework in force since 2020 and will begin to apply 18 months after the regulation’s entry into force.
The new framework requires all Member States to establish screening mechanisms covering a common minimum scope of sensitive sectors, technologies, and infrastructures (such as dual-use goods and military equipment, critical raw materials, artificial intelligence, energy, transport, and digital infrastructure), including foreign investments made through EU-based subsidiaries, while maintaining national responsibility for screening decisions.
According to the statement, the regulation also improves cooperation between Member States and the European Commission, increases transparency and consistency among national screening systems, and simplifies procedures for investors and public authorities. Furthermore, it introduces new tools to facilitate information exchange and prevent circumvention of the rules.
