Better Regulation in the European Union

The Council took note of a Presidency progress report on the Better Regulation agenda (see Council document: 9164/07).

The Better Regulation agenda aims at improving the quality and form of the regulatory environment in order to strengthen EU competitiveness. It currently covers simplification of legislative texts, reduction of administrative burdens and preparation and examination of impact assessments on most legislative proposals.

Since the last progress report in December 2006 and thanks to the impetus given by the German presidency in cooperation with the Commission, many positive developments have taken place. These include the adoption and launch at the Spring European Council 2007 of the Action Plan for reducing administrative burdens which includes the commitment to reduce the administrative burdens arising from EU legislation by 25% by 2012.