The European Commission has unveiled the EU Space Act, a groundbreaking legislative proposal designed to harmonise the regulation of space activities across the EU. Announced on 25 June 2025 as part of the Commission’s 2025 work programme, the initiative aims to enhance safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability, while strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s growing space sector.
The proposal is structured around three key pillars:
- Safety: Introducing robust rules for tracking space objects and mitigating space debris, to ensure Europe’s secure and uninterrupted access to space.
- Resilience: Establishing tailored cybersecurity requirements to protect European space infrastructure and guarantee business continuity against evolving threats.
- Sustainability: Requiring operators to assess and reduce the environmental footprint of their missions, with incentives for innovation in technologies such as in-orbit servicing and debris removal.
The legislation will apply to both EU and non-EU operators providing space services within Europe. Proportional requirements, adapted to company size and risk profile, are designed to create a fair, innovation-friendly regulatory environment. Alongside these rules, the Commission has proposed a targeted support package to help businesses and Member States adapt, with a focus on reducing administrative burdens and facilitating compliance — particularly for start-ups, SMEs, and small mid-caps.
Next, the EU Space Act will undergo negotiations under the ordinary legislative procedure between the European Parliament and the Council.
More information: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space-act_en
