EESC Employers' Group welcomes EU's game-changer to drive productivity, economic resilience and quality jobs

26 February 2025 – The Employers’ Group strongly endorses the Commission’s decisive push for industrial and economic competitiveness through today’s publication of the Clean Industrial Deal and the Omnibus packages on sustainability and investment simplification. These measures signal a necessary shift towards cutting through regulatory deadweight and creating a business environment where European companies can scale, innovate, and compete globally, while staying aligned with our climate and social goals.

"We recognise the great effort put into these proposals. While they may not be perfect, they are a critical turning point. Let's hope that these proposals truly signal the start of the age of simplification," said Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers' Group, underlining that Europe’s competitiveness hinges on radical simplification—not incremental tweaks.

"Simplification does not mean deregulation. It is not about dismantling the Green Deal or essential social safeguards, nor making Europe more like the US. It is about cutting through bureaucracy that benefits no one—bureaucracy that stifles growth, chokes innovation, and, if left unchecked, threatens the very foundation of our European model," Mallia added, insisting on the urgency of slashing excessive administrative burdens and forging a clear, streamlined regulatory framework will allow businesses to innovate, invest, and expand.

According to the EESC Employers' Group, the Commission’s approach to reducing compliance costs—potentially saving companies €37 billion between now and 2029 —is a game-changer that will drive productivity, strengthen economic resilience, and create quality jobs.

On the Clean Industrial Deal, which finally recognises that sustainability and economic competitiveness are not opposing forces but rather two sides of the same coin, the Group believes there must be a fundamental shift in mindset: setting rigid targets and legislation should not be the default approach.

Thorough, evidence-based impact assessments should be conducted to make sure they enhance, rather than hinder, Europe's economic and industrial landscape. "A market-driven, innovation-led approach is not just the best way to achieve the green transition, it is the only way to make it a success," said Mallia.

The Employers' Group particularly welcome the Commission’s focus on accelerating permitting processes, which is essential for unlocking investment in clean technologies and critical industrial projects.

Furthermore, access to finance remains a key concern for European businesses. While we appreciate the renewed emphasis on mobilising investment, we need real, bold measures that address the decline in venture capital investment and Europe’s lagging risk capital market. The EU must unleash private financing by fostering an attractive investment climate that stimulates both public and private capital.

“Our companies keep hearing about simplification but as yet they have not seen or felt anything tangible. Let’s be clear that we are here trying to get ourselves out of a mess that was created here in Brussels. Let’s stop complaining, let’s stop delaying. Now let’s deliver!" Mallia ended.

For more information, please contact:

Daniela Vincenti, Communication Adviser
daniela.vincenti@eesc.europa.eu

+32 497 412095