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BackImbalanced representation of interests
Increased efforts to simplify legislation have existed since 1995. A dedicated group of experts, the “High Level Group on Administrative Burdens” under the leadership of Edmund Stoiber (the so-called Stoiber Group), dealt with this issue between 2007 and 2014. Apart from employers' representatives, the Group also included four members of trade unions and civil society organisations. The European Trade Union Confederation was represented by Heidi Rønne Møller, EU Adviser of the Danish Trade Union Confederation. In her initial address, she provided an insight into the workings of the Stoiber Group. It would use the imbalanced makeup of the Group to largely ignore critical positions. In particular the chairman would place his focus clearly on reducing the burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, in general, Rønne Møller conceded that the agenda “Better Regulation” per se did not present a danger to employees, consumers and the environment, provided it was not ideologically abused.
More growth and employment through “Better legislation”?
In his opening address, Antoine Colombani, Member of Cabinet of First Vice President Frans Timmermans, emphasised the political significance of “Better Regulation” for the Juncker Commission. For him too, the programme was closely linked to the agenda for growth and employment. Even though Colombani said that the Commission had no intention of lowering labour, social or environmental standards, he nevertheless admitted that in respect of impact assessment in future more attention had to be paid to social aspects in addition to purely economic aspects. The Commission was not aiming at evading criticism but it wanted to use discussions to learn more about problems with and fears with regard to “Better Regulation”.
The Dutch MEP Agnes Jongerius (S&D) made it clear that “Better Regulation” is also viewed critically within the European Parliament. It was not disputed that better legislation was important; she nevertheless warned the Commission not to treat health and security protection as bureaucratic burdens. The EU should continue setting standards in these areas and at the same time stricter regulations at Member State level had to remain permissible.
Better integration of social partners
In his speech, Erik Berggren, senior adviser at BUSINESSEUROPE, the leading advocate for growth and competitiveness at European level, pointed out the significance of an effective and efficient administration for competitiveness. It was important to discuss what was important and what was unimportant legislation. The Commission’s system of impact assessment had to be reviewed to achieve a more objective evaluation of the impact of European laws. The increased involvement of social partners in the evaluation process definitely was a prerequisite.
No exemptions for health and security standards
Ursula Pachl, Deputy Director General of the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC), made it clear that she would undoubtedly reject some of the initiatives proposed in the report of the Stoiber Group. For example, the so-called “One-In-One-Out” rule, where for each new law an existing one is to be abolished. It would be devoid of any logic of good legislation, said Pachl. For her, “Better Regulation” should above all aim at improving standards related to the legislative process. However, de facto the main issue often was to lower costs for businesses. Concluding her speech, Pachl also criticised the comprehensive derogations for small and medium-sized enterprises, suggested by the Stoiber Group. There should not be any special treatment, in particular with regard to health and hygiene standards, independent of whether the producing enterprise was big or small.
Further Informations:
Commission Communication on EU Regulatory Fitness (REFIT)
Stoiber Group - Dissenting opinion
ETUC position on the recommendations of the Stoiber Group