European legislation and the UK regulatory environment
The UK government works closely with other member states to reduce the burdens of legislation agreed at this level. It actively engages with other countries to share best practice and learn lessons from abroad. A key part of this has been the introduction of the Standard Cost Model (SCM), which several countries – including the UK – now use to measure the impact of regulation. You can read more on the SCM Network website.
The government has also welcomed the European Commission’s efforts to introduce better regulation principles and practices into its own work over the last few years.
Let's get down to business: smart regulation, more growth, better Europe
On 29 November 2011 the government published its report, Let's get down to business: smart regulation, more growth, better Europe (PDF, 1.9 Mb) , on the conclusions of a review announced at the Budget in March 2011. The review explored ways to improve European growth opportunities for UK businesses. The report was published with Balfour Beatty, GlaxoSmithKline, Kingfisher and Tribeka Limited.
The key messages from the UK businesses include the need to:
- reduce the overall European regulatory burden;
- foster innovation; and
- ensure the internal market realises its growth potential
if, as Europe we collectively wish to retain our economic importance and investment attractiveness in the global market.
For each strategic message, the government is using 16 specific case studies that the businesses have provided as part of this Review to strengthen its arguments for action at European level.
These aims will continue to be the cornerstone of the government’s EU growth strategy. The government will use the 16 specific case studies, as well as evidence from business groups and the Red Tape Challenge, to energetically work with the European Commission, the European Parliament and other Member States to make these aims a reality for both UK and EU businesses.
Target for reducing the administrative burden
In March 2007, EU Heads of government agreed a target to reduce the administrative burden resulting from EU law by 25%, by 2012. The Commission estimates that this could save European businesses a total of €150 billion (£100 billion). The UK government was delighted with this agreement, which complements its own work to reduce the administrative burdens of domestic legislation.
On 22 July 2008, the government published the report 25 ideas for simplifying EU law (PDF) which puts forward suggestions to the Commission, and Council on how to realise savings worth an estimated €937 million for the UK and €6.6 billion for the EU as a whole.
Find out what the EU is doing to reduce administrative burdens from the European Commission: Administrative Costs page.
Impact Assessments
The Commission has comprehensive guidelines for its officials on how to assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of its policy interventions.
Recognising the need for greater internal quality control, it recently set up an Impact Assessment (IA) Board, consisting of senior officials. The Board’s role is to scrutinise IAs and make recommendations for improvements. You can read about the work of the Board on the European Commission: Impact Assessment Board page.
Simplification
Simplifying existing EU legislation is also a key priority. In 2005, the Commission announced an annual rolling simplification programme, listing around 50 laws to be simplified every year. The Europa website has details of these plans. (See European Commission: Simplification)
Defining European Success with Smart Regulation
On 11 March the UK, Danish and Dutch governments, jointly published a report challenging the way European institutions make decisions and arguing that smart EU regulation requires that businesses and citizens be at the heart of all European policy-making.
EU regulation, and the access to the internal market it provides, gives substantial benefits to EU Member States. Too often, however, European regulation is seen merely as burdensome. The report, "Smart Regulation: A cleaner, fairer and more competitive EU" addresses this and shows how smart EU regulation should support growth and recovery in the current economic climate, maximise the European Union's social and environmental benefits, while reducing burdens and costs. View the report (PDF, 339 Kb)
Goldplating
On the 15 December 2010 the government adopted Guiding Principles for EU legislation that it will use when introducing European measures into UK law. These will end so-called “gold-plating” so that British businesses are not put at a disadvantage relative to their European competitors.
