It took less than seven months for the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and The Council of the European Union to agree to a so-called Interinstitutional Agreement (IIV), which will revise the cooperation of the three EU institutions to guarantee better legislation in future. Following an initial review, many concerns of employees and the civil society have been taken on board. Now, the Agreement contains among other provisions for the continuous monitoring of the performance of EU regulations and rules concerning a coordinated annual and multiannual programme, including the consultation on the Work Programme of the EU Commission.

Juncker: Better regulation is priority of his Presidency

The background for this Agreement is the commitment of Commission President Juncker to better regulation. Hence, die EU Commission committed itself in its 2015 Work Programme to present a proposal for a new Interinstitutional Agreement in order to update and strengthen the common understanding of the Commission, the European Parliaments and the Council with regard to better legislation. Following speedy negotiations, agreement has been reached on a number of key points. For example, in future, there will be a common approach by the three institutions in respect of multiannual and annual programme planning as well as a joint list of interinstitutional priorities. Furthermore, there shall be consultations of the EU Parliament if the EU Commission wants to withdraw a proposal and the obligation of the Commission to react to requests of the EU Parliament regarding the presentation of proposals. The fact, that a commitment has also been made with to transparency, is very important. Whilst the EU Parliament would be transparent and the Council would be able to take part in all Parliamentary consultations, this was not the case the other way round. As a result, one agreed to an informal exchange of opinions and documents on a regular basis.

Gold-plating continues to be permitted

One of the most controversial issues was the so-called gold-plating, which enabled Member States to create additional rules with regard to the national implementation of EU legislative acts. One has now agreed that Member States will be able to continue this practice, which had also been a demand of the Chamber of Labour. What is new is that the EU Commission shall now specify what corresponds to the implementation of EU legislation and what represents additional gold-plating. As a result, this would also be comprehensible for the public. What remains now that one has agreed on a new IIV is for EU Parliament and Council to cast their formal vote. This will probably take place in the spring of 2016.