Source: European Parliament
The target for reducing reporting obligations’ burden has been set at 25% in March 2023, in the ‘Long term competitiveness’ Communication[1].
As indicated in the communication ‘A Simpler and Faster Europe’[2], this target has been expanded to cover all administrative burden, and up to 35% for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This represents a target of EUR 37.5 billion of savings over the mandate.
The President of the Commission has made the reduction of red tape a priority for the new mandate of the Commission as explained in answer to E-1084/2025.
The roadmap has been set in the ‘Competitiveness compass’ and the communication ‘A Simpler and Faster Europe’ and simplification omnibuses have been adopted on 26 February, 14 May, 21 May and 17 June 2025. However, while aiming at achieving significant simplification, the Commission proposals nevertheless preserve the EU policy goals.
The Better Regulation tools have been reinforced (e.g. through the SME and Competitiveness checks, and the scrutiny of delegated and implementing acts) to ensure that EU legislation is designed with implementation and simplification in mind right from the outset.
The communication also underscores the important role of the co-legislators for this process:
‘The European Parliament and the Council have a central role to play in creating simple and effective rules at the lowest administrative cost for people and companies. In 2016, both institutions committed to the principle of assessing the impacts of their substantial amendments when appropriate’.