EU Members Call for Comprehensive Review of Chips Act, Cite Unattainable Production Goals
Brussels: In a cooperative initiative led by the Netherlands, the 27 European Union Member States have issued a joint statement advocating for a comprehensive review of the EU Chips Act. The goal is to boost the growth of a robust and innovative European semiconductor ecosystem. This review is set within the framework of the Digital Omnibus, a package intended to streamline European digital regulations, anticipated to be unveiled in early December.
According to Ansa News Agency, the joint statement emphasizes the necessity for the review to address Europe’s current weaknesses and effectively respond to geopolitical, technological, and environmental challenges. The statement suggests that leveraging existing strengths alongside emerging market opportunities, as highlighted in the Draghi Report on the Future of European Competitiveness, is crucial. The member states argue for a bold and coordinated agenda that aligns national and regional strategies with EU-level initiatives, aiming to strengthen Europe’s leadership in semiconductor technologies.
The EU members criticize the current target set by the Chips Act, which aims to double semiconductor production by 2030, raising Europe’s share of the global market from 10% to 20%, as “unrealistic” and lacking strategic focus. They advocate for a revision based on three strategic objectives: prosperity, indispensability, and resilience. These objectives should be supported by measurable goals, periodically reviewed by the European Commission in collaboration with Member States and stakeholders in the semiconductor ecosystem.
The overarching aim of the review, as outlined by the EU Member States, is to foster a competitive European semiconductor ecosystem, maintain and enhance Europe’s technological and innovation leadership to secure critical control points in the global semiconductor value chain, and ensure a stable and reliable supply of semiconductors for Europe’s critical sectors, especially during global crises or geopolitical uncertainties.