The European Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board issued a negative opinion on the impact assessment of the Data Act. According to the internal review process, the Commission’s report falls short, first, in providing sufficient clarity on the purpose and scope of the initiative and its relation with other initiatives in the field. Second, it lacks clarity on policy options’ precise design and content, particularly regarding fairness and public interest. Finally, the internal report does not sufficiently highlight the envisaged costs and benefits of the new measures and the difference in view between various categories of stakeholders.