Reducing EU regulatory burdens with AI: EESC Employers' Group to present new study

26 May 2025 – On 28 May, the EESC Employers' Group will launch its new study "A Business-Centric Approach to Cutting Red Tape - From Complexity to Clarity: Reducing EU Regulatory Burdens with AI" in the presence of Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification.

Despite numerous simplification initiatives, EU regulatory output keeps growing, with over 13,000 acts adopted between 2019 and 2024. SMEs are disproportionately affected due to limited capacity to absorb compliance costs, especially under fragmented national implementations and vague legislation.

"The problem is not regulation —it’s overload" said Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers' Group. "Too many rules drain innovation, bury businesses under paperwork, and slow down progress. Over 60% of businesses still consider this a top barrier to growth".

In this context, the study – conducted by SIRA Consulting and Y.digital – proposes a bold, data-driven framework to streamline EU regulation using artificial intelligence. At the core is the Regulatory Burden Index (RBI), a new AI-supported tool capable of monitoring and quantifying the compliance burden of EU laws in real time. This is complemented by the SME Indicator Company approach, which leverages sectoral business cases to set realistic, measurable reduction targets.

The launch comes as the EU doubles down on simplification, aiming at a 25% reduction for all businesses and 35% for SMEs by 2029. Recent initiatives, such as the Omnibus Simplification Packages, show growing political momentum, echoed by the 2025–2026 Trio Presidency's focus on competitiveness and smarter legislation.

The event will also serve as a platform for strategic alignment between EU institutions and business stakeholders. Commissioner Dombrovskis will outline the European Commission’s simplification agenda and broader efforts to future-proof EU lawmaking.

"The European Commission has identified simplification as the key to unlocking Europe’s full competitive potential. We need to support Europe's businesses with rules that are simpler and more proportionate. Our work to cut red tape is already well underway and will continue across all areas throughout the Commission’s entire mandate. That is why it is so crucial to continue engaging with stakeholders, including businesses, to inform how our simplification proposals can help support jobs, innovation and investment, thereby securing our long-term prosperity" said Commissioner Dombrovskis.

With AI-driven tools and smarter benchmarks, the EU can finally shift from complexity to clarity, turning red tape into a competitive edge.

For more information, please contact:

Daniela Vincenti, Communication Adviser

daniela.vincenti@eesc.europa.eu

+32 497 412095