Better Regulation should remain a Commission priority

Brussels, 30 October 2018 –  The Commission has significantly improved its better regulation framework since 2015 and it is showing results – but efforts must continue for the new culture to take hold.

Cefic values the work of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB), the higher focus on the Evaluate First Principle and increased transparency in the comitology process.

There are three areas where we believe the EU can do better: 

• Transparency when better regulation processes are not applied. When the Commission chooses not to stick to the guidelines, or to bypass the RSB advice, this should be reported in the annual REFIT communication.
  
  
• A holistic approach to better regulation in chemicals policy. Cefic suggests publishing for feedback all draft measures aiming to regulate the use of chemicals. Proportionate impact assessments should precede measures to restrict or ban a substance or product. And when the Commission must adopt implementing acts following a risk assessment process involving EU Agencies, the process should optimise predictability.
  
  
• More tangible burden reduction results. A clearer overview of burden reduction achieved through implementation of EU law is needed. 

Read our position on the Stocktaking of the Commission’s Better Regulation Approach.