Summary of the first meeting of the DSA Advisory Panel on 16 April 2025

On 16 April 2025, the first meeting of the DSA Advisory Panel took place at the premises of CTU, which brings together representatives of the state administration, academia, the business sector and consumer organisations. The Panel was established as an expert platform for the practical implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and aims to ensure interdisciplinary exchange of information, consultation on draft measures and support for effective regulation of the digital environment in the Czech Republic.

At the beginning of the meeting, a plan of CTU's main activities for 2025 was presented, including the development of a self-identification tool for providers of digital services to help them navigate their obligations under the DSA. The tool will be available online and will serve as a non-binding tool. CTU also informed about the upcoming microsite, which will be available to the public from June and will provide an easy-to-understand overview of basic information on the DSA. In the area of communication with undertakings, CTU announced the distribution of an information guide to more than two thousand providers and the readiness to organise individual workshops.

In the next section, the Panel discussed the requirements for certification of bodies under Articles 21, 22 and 40 of the DSA, which relate to out-of-court dispute settlement, trusted flaggers and researchers. The discussion focused on the requirement of objectivity, reasonableness of fees, transparency of ownership structure and independence of certified bodies. Important points were also made about the risks of monopolisation, the need to review the granted certifications and to prevent possible abuse of the system for competitive purposes.

Special attention was paid to the issue of protection of minors. Guidelines on age verification and content risk assessment are being developed in the framework of European cooperation, and CTU has informed about a planned public consultation on this issue during the second quarter of this year. Participants appreciated CTU's initiative to prepare explanatory material and openness to discuss appropriate technical and organisational solutions, including linking with EU Wallet tool.

Finally, it was agreed that the next meeting would take place on an operational basis as required, but no later than the third quarter of this year.