Communication on a Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook

Background

In April 2026, the European Commission adopted the Communication “A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook” (COM(2026) 380), setting out a renewed approach to how EU legislation is designed, implemented and enforced. The initiative responds to concerns about complex rules, fragmented national implementation, administrative burdens and uneven enforcement, which limit legal certainty and weaken the single market. 

The Communication introduces the principle of “simplicity by design”, aiming to ensure that EU rules are clear, proportionate and workable from the outset. It highlights digital‑ready policymaking and enforcement by design as key enablers of regulatory quality, and proposes targeted improvements to the Better Regulation framework, including more focused impact assessments and streamlined consultations. It also launches an Action Plan for Regulatory Deep Cleaning, identifies regulatory gold‑plating as a persistent problem, and reinforces implementation and enforcement through priority actions. 

Practical information

• Composition of the study group
• Administrator in charge: Igor CALDEIRA (FSA unit)
• Assistants: Elena PEREZ VELASCO (FSA unit) / Yolanda GRASA NIETO (INT section)

For more information, please contact INT secretariat.