Better EU Regulation
Achieving a better EU regulatory environment is a key BERR priority.
Recent achievements include:
- Impact assessments are now produced by the EU Commission for all significant proposals using a rigorous methodology, which includes a test for impacts on competitiveness.
- The Commission announced the withdrawal of 68 proposals and a wide-ranging simplification plan.
- The Davidson Review of the implementation of European legislation published on the 28 November 2006 found no evidence of "gold plating" in BERR policy
- A clear forward plan on better regulation was agreed by all 25 Member States at the November 2006Competitiveness Council.
- The Spring Council endorsed the Commission proposal for a 25% reduction of admin burdens arising from EU legislation by 2012 and an associated Better Regulation Action Plan
Our focus now is to maintain momentum and ensure the newly agreed better regulation disciplines are firmly embedded in the EU regulatory process.
Business engagement at EU level is essential to keep up the momentum. Opportunities to consult should be taken up. Better regulation can be used as a guiding principle in lobbying. Companies should ask to see impact assessments. If they don't agree with the evidence provided, they should make their views known.
Better Regulation Executive, who have the lead Whitehall responsibility for EU better regulation are are now an integral part of the new Department.
Related Documents
- EU Commission Communication on withdrawals
(60KB) - EU Commission Communication on simplification
(185KB)
- Competitiveness Council conclusions (November 2005)
(288KB)
- 6-Presidency Statement on regulatory reform (December 2004)
(51KB) - 3 - Presidency Statement (December 2005)
(190KB)
- EU Communication on Better Regulation (March 2005)
(218KB)