Simplification

To boost competitiveness and safeguard economic, social and environmental goals, the European Commission aims to reduce regulatory burdens and simplify EU laws. A series of strategic measures has been implemented to effectively meet the established objectives. The Commission employs a dedicated methodology to ensure that new policies and legislative proposals are crafted to achieve these goals, while also minimizing administrative costs for stakeholders. 

The operational target for reducing administrative costs until the end of the mandate is set for at least 25% for all businesses or EUR 37.5 bn, and at least 35% for SMEs. 

The impact of the Commission simplification initiatives will be tangible for the businesses and other stakeholders only once they are adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, and implemented.  

Burden reduction measures 

- Stress testing is a comprehensive approach to assess the effectiveness and suitability of EU legislation. It involves systematic reviewing of existing laws to identify opportunities for simplification, consolidation, and improved implementation. As part of this process, evaluations and fitness checks are conducted to analyse the overall impact of legislation, ensuring that the regulatory framework remains coherent, efficient, and fit for purpose. The results will feed into the next round of the simplification packages. 

- Simplification is prioritised in the annual Commission work programmes.  

- Reality checks are a technical consultation instrument that aims to facilitate meeting the policy objectives and minimising administrative burdens. To achieve this, the Commission seeks first-hand, technical feedback from practitioners (usually individual businesses) on the implementation of EU rules and programmes, including on measures to make them simpler and facilitate their implementation. This initiative is particularly aimed at SMEs and mid-caps. 

Improving how we make new legislative acts 

- Reinforced SME and competitiveness checks are systematically applied to the preparation of relevant legislation. They will help to identify potential issues regarding the competitive position of EU companies affected and to prepare appropriate mitigating measures as well as present more clearly the impacts on SMEs. 

- Reinforced scrutiny of delegated and implementing acts – significant impacts will always be reflected in either an impact assessment or in cost/cost-savings analysis. 

- To lighten reporting burdens and compliance costs, the Commission is using the ‘digital by default’ and ‘once-only’ principles in partnership with national, regional and local authorities and the relevant EU agencies. 

Simplification initiatives planned in the Commission work programme 2025