On Tuesday 30 June, the APELL Conference 2026 attracted around 60 people to beautiful Utrecht (Netherlands). For the fourth time, APELL invited participants for a full day of presentations, panel discussions, and working groups. The APELL Conference is the premier event for where companies and developers get together with industry leaders and innovators from the...
Together with representatives from member companies, and partner organisations, APELL had the opportunity to join the kick-off of the Digital Commons EDIC on Friday 19 June in Paris, and represent the European Open Source Business sector. The DC-EDIC is a joint effort of France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, more countries have joined as...
On 3 June 2026, the European Commission published its Technological Sovereignty Package. APELL welcomes the Commission's renewed commitment, and increased ambition with regard to the Open Source ecosystem. However, some of the proposed measures may not do what it says on the tin. Open Source Strategy APELL welcomes that the revised OSS Strategy figures as...
The EU’s Digital Omnibus proposal promises simplification. Conversely, it could lower data protection standards, and risks to undermine European digital sovereignty goals.
When the European Commission published its public consultation for a Communication “Towards European open digital ecosystems” on 6 January, hundrets of submissions came in within the first days. Yesterday, the consultation closed, with 1658 submissions one of the highest contribution rates ever. APELL welcomes the Commission’s display of support for the Open Source ecosystem and...
In its submission to the Commission’s public consultation on public procurement, APELL welcomes the Commission’s efforts and recommends a shift in public investments towards Open Source, and with it a priority for the broader policy goal of increasing digital sovereignty in the European Union.
Berlin, Brussels, Paris, 17 November 2025. On the occasion of the French-German Summit on European Digital Sovereignty, taking place in Berlin tomorrow (18 November 2025), more than 100 businesses, organisations, and individuals are publishing their Declaration of Digital Independence. Initiated by the European umbrella organisation of Open Source business associations, APELL (Association Professionnelle du Logiciel...
In an effort to reflect the recent focus on software and other digital products in various product legislation, the Commission has asked for evidence on what the public considers important when overhauling the so-called “New Legislative Framework” (NLF). APELL has submitted two important suggestions to the Commission: Reflect Open Source business models In recent legislation...
Brussels, 18 July 2025. APELL welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to revise the framework of European Standardisation. In its submission, APELL calls for more representation of the Open Source ecosystem in the development of European Standards, and encourages a more open development process that lowers the barriers for participation. With its call for evidence for...
Brussels, 07 July 2025. In its submission to the public consultation on the Cloud and AI Development Act, APELL asks the European Commission to buy 100% Open Source by 2035 using public procurement. Last week, the European Commission’s public consultation on the “AI Continent” initiative ended. It especially looks for input on the Cloud and AI...