European Union officials are moving toward stricter rules that could force member states to remove “high-risk” technology suppliers from critical infrastructure, as Brussels shifts from voluntary guidance to a harder, security-first approach.
The effort is aimed at reducing exposure to suppliers seen as potential national security risks across sensitive networks, particularly in telecommunications and other core systems that underpin modern economies. While several EU countries already restrict certain vendors, the new push would make coordinated removals more consistent across the bloc.
Officials argue that fragmented policies leave gaps, especially when critical systems are deeply interconnected across borders. The goal is to standardize requirements, strengthen oversight, and ensure that high-risk vendors cannot remain embedded in the backbone of Europe’s communications and security environment.
The move also reflects wider pressure on EU governments to secure supply chains, harden digital infrastructure, and prepare for a future where cyber threats and geopolitical rivalry increasingly overlap.
If adopted, the policy could accelerate a broader restructuring of Europe’s network ecosystem, requiring telecom operators and infrastructure providers to shift equipment, contracts, and long-term technology planning toward lower-risk alternatives.