EU Quantum Act draft tilts public buying toward EU suppliers

By Grace Kim

A leaked European Union Quantum Act draft would generally reserve public purchases of quantum products, systems and services for EU-controlled companies. The restriction would generally cover designated strategic quantum infrastructure and industrial projects. Critical-sector procurement rules would begin six months after the regulation takes effect.

Who can supply EU public programs?

Outside suppliers could enter through a strategic partnership that allows reciprocal participation. Commission authorization could provide a second route, subject to safeguards covering security, intellectual property and European technological interests.

U.S.-controlled suppliers selling into European public programs would need one of those routes. European makers IQM and Pasqal would qualify by default. Both recently reported results as newly listed companies, according to MLQ.ai coverage.

For public buyers, that creates a strong EU preference with two defined exceptions.

What computing scale does the draft target?

The draft targets about 100 error-corrected logical qubits per system by 2030 or soon after. Its longer-range goal rises toward thousands of logical qubits per platform by 2035.

The document sets a target rather than reporting present capacity. It says progress should be judged by “logical error rates, scalability, availability, energy use and task performance,” not qubit counts alone.

The infrastructure roadmap calls for:

• Interoperable metropolitan quantum networks by 2030.
• Quantum-network connections of about 200 km by 2035.
• An interconnected terrestrial and space EuroQCI network by 2031.
• Industrial-scale quantum foundries during 2030-2035.

A European Quantum Service Platform would provide a common interface to quantum computers, particularly those available through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.

The schedule clusters several milestones in 2030, then extends the network plan to 2031 and the foundry window to 2035.

What must critical sectors buy?

Procurement starting six months after the regulation takes effect would generally require designated critical-sector infrastructure and equipment to be “post-quantum ready and crypto-agile.” Crypto-agility would mean the ability to switch cryptographic methods.

Exceptions would require a technical and security assessment and upgrade deadlines. Cost or supplier preference alone would not justify an exception.

The Commission would maintain a list of critical quantum components. It would also monitor risks from foreign acquisitions.

The six-month clock would run from the regulation’s entry into force, not from the date of each purchase.

When would the rules take effect?

MLex reported the leaked text on Oct. 28. The Commission is scheduled to propose the Act on Nov. 18. MLex said the text could still change.

The Quantum Insider said the reviewed draft still contains unfinished references and provisions. Those gaps leave room for revisions to eligibility rules, strategic-project participation and implementation details before the proposal.

Because the Commission has not yet issued the proposal, the 2030 and 2035 targets, procurement restrictions and post-quantum requirements remain policy goals rather than enforceable rules.

Who pays, and which firms benefit?

The draft names no companies and sets no overall budget. Funding would depend on the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, the successor to Horizon Europe. National and private money would also contribute.

France and Germany urged the Commission in July to focus the Act on procurement, funding and governance. Their intervention preceded the leaked text and matched its central market-access provisions.

That position contrasts with a U.S. commission calling for sustained federal quantum funding and a national foundry program.

If enacted as drafted, the procurement limits would favor European-controlled suppliers over U.S.-controlled rivals in public programs. IQM and Pasqal would gain default eligibility. Foreign vendors would need a reciprocal partnership or Commission approval.

The final text will determine whether that advantage extends across both routine public purchases and designated strategic projects. The Nov. 18 proposal could still alter eligibility, deadlines and the pace of quantum-network and foundry deployment.