Simplification is here to stay – and for good reason. Done well, it can reduce costs, safeguard standards and strengthen competitiveness.

Read the full brief here: bst-europe.eu/de/wettberwe...

To make simplification work, I propose four guiding principles:
1️⃣ Clarity on goals: simplification - not deregulation in disguise
2️⃣ Evidence-based selection: focus on costly, low-benefit rules
3️⃣ Sound design: apply Better Regulation tools
4️⃣ Political consensus: align early with Council & EP

Only a few proposals have been adopted, while others are stuck in lengthy negotiations.

Some proposals weaken standards – missing the very purpose of simplification: cutting costs while preserving Europe’s high standards.

Simplifying EU rules sounds like a win: rules should be clear, consistent & workable - especially for companies. The Commission has rightly recognized this. But six months after the first Omnibus package was presented, the promise of rapid & effective relief has yet to deliver.

This week, negotiations on the first Omnibus simplification package stalled in the European Parliament - highlighting the difficulties in the Commission’s current agenda.

In a new Policy Brief, I argue the Commission’s approach needs recalibration: bst-europe.eu/de/wettberwe...