BETTER REGULATION FOR A CHANGING EUROPE

Europe is facing profound economic, social, environmental and geopolitical changes. In this context, the quality of our regulation matters more than ever. This is the starting point of the EESC’s opinion on the European Commission’s initiative for A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook.

By Katrīna Zariņa

The EESC welcomes the Commission’s ambition to make EU legislation ‘simple by design’ and to strengthen regulatory discipline, but our message is clear: better regulation should not be equated with deregulation. The objective must be high-quality rules that are understandable, proportionate and effective.

This requires balance. Regulation should support Europe’s competitiveness, productivity and capacity to innovate, while safeguarding social and environmental standards, workers’ and consumers’ interests and fundamental rights. Better regulation is ultimately about achieving these objectives more effectively.

One of the central recommendations of our opinion is therefore to improve how we assess the impact of legislation. We need to understand not only individual proposals, but also their cumulative and indirect effects on businesses, particularly SMEs, citizens and workers. The ‘Think Small First’ principle should be applied from the beginning of policymaking, while economic, social and environmental impacts must all be properly considered.

Better regulation must also apply throughout the legislative cycle. Significant amendments introduced by the European Parliament and Council should be properly assessed. Urgency procedures should remain exceptional, and meaningful stakeholder participation must be preserved. The EESC therefore calls for the 12-week period for public consultations to be maintained, allowing businesses, trade unions, civil society and citizens sufficient opportunity to contribute.

Transparency is equally important. We propose that new legislative proposals clearly summarise the obligations they create. We also call for greater transparency, stakeholder involvement and scrutiny of delegated and implementing acts.

What does this mean for Member States?

Good legislation at European level can only achieve its objectives if it is properly implemented and enforced nationally. More consistent enforcement should reduce fragmentation and strengthen trust in the Single Market. At the same time, national circumstances and the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality must be respected.

The EESC supports tackling unnecessary gold-plating that creates additional burdens or distorts the Single Market, while clearly distinguishing it from legitimate national adaptations, including higher protective standards where justified.

Member States will therefore be essential partners in making better regulation work. This requires adequate administrative capacity, cooperation with the European institutions and meaningful involvement of social partners and organised civil society.

Better regulation is a shared responsibility. In a changing Europe, our goal should not simply be fewer rules, but rules that work better – for our economy, our society, our environment and, ultimately, for people.