On 11 June, the Italian Senate finally passed Bill 1415, “Provisions for the Economy of Space”, establishing the country’s first consolidated space regulation. This marks a national milestone and has been long awaited by industry actors. Italy has held a very strong position in the European and international aerospace market for decades, but the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework has hindered its further development.
This regulation brings greater clarity and support for both large and small stakeholders, while also introducing new compliance requirements and concepts that require careful interpretation and implementation.
Key highlights
One of the two key takeaways for industry players is the announcement of the National Fund for the Space Economy. The fund will launch with EUR 35 million in 2025 and is expected to be integrated with Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) – il Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza – as well as programmes from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). It is projected to exceed EUR 7 billion in the coming years. This tool will encourage and support start-ups, innovative SMEs, supply chain projects, and the development of new infrastructure.
The other key takeaway is the introduction of new compliance obligations and requirements. ASI’s responsibilities now include the supervision of operators and the enforcement of sanctions against non-compliant space companies. The regulation sets out new principles and rules for all civil and dual-use space activities conducted by Italian operators. Among these is the obligation for operators to secure insurance coverage for space incidents, with a specified amount of up to EUR 100 million per incident. While this may already be common practice, incorporating it into the regulation ensures that the financial security and safety of space activities are prioritised and safeguarded. As such, it is important for stakeholders to review the new regulation, understand its implications, and ensure proper implementation to avoid sanctions from ASI.
Access Partnership helps clients navigate the regulatory complexities of satellite and space services through expert analysis and strategic guidance. We work with policymakers and businesses to shape policy and regulatory frameworks, helping clients understand how to adapt to them. To find out more about how our Regulatory Strategy & Market Access experts can help you, please contact Sofia Stellatou at [email protected].
