The European Union has failed to meet a crucial deadline for member states to implement new cybersecurity regulations for 18 critical sectors, which was originally set for mid-October 2022.

Despite the acknowledged importance of enhancing cybersecurity, 13 EU countries have yet to integrate the NIS2 cybersecurity directive into their national legislation.

Currently, only seven EU nations have fully adopted the directive, while another seven are partially compliant, often following formal notices from the EU Commission.

Germany and France, the two largest economies in the EU, are among the countries lagging behind, with political instability significantly hindering their progress.

In France, the transposition bill for the directive was only introduced after the elections in June 2024 and is still under review, whereas Germany's adoption has been stalled due to the collapse of its coalition government, which is not expected to be resolved until May 2025.

Bart Groothuis, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament, has criticized the slow adoption process as 'incomprehensible and irresponsible,' warning that such delays heighten the risk of cyberattacks.

The sectors impacted by these delays include vital areas such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, government agencies, and space infrastructure, all of which are essential for economic security.

While recent developments in Malta and Finland indicate some progress, these countries have not yet officially notified the European Commission of their new laws, preventing them from being recognized as compliant.