In line with the ‘one in, one out’ principle, the European Commission is, for the first time, applying a detailed analysis of the regulatory and administrative burden generated by its planned initiatives in 2022, according to a draft work programme obtained by EUROPE on Monday 18 October.
In line with the ambitions set out at the beginning of the mandate by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last April, the Commission has presented a new communication to implement the ‘one in, one out’ principle, which aims to reduce administrative burdens for European citizens and businesses (see EUROPE 12709/16).
This principle is thus included in the draft version of the work programme, dated 27 September. Next to each initiative is the degree of ‘burden reduction’.
The work programme shows the extent to which the initiative reduces the regulatory and administrative burden, specifying the type of measures and which actors will benefit most. Where appropriate, an explanation is requested as to why the measure would not result in a reduction.
The analysis was still far from complete at the end of September, often because policy options were not yet decided, such as the revision of EU pesticide rules (due in May 2022), or because the potential costs were still being examined as well.
A brief overview of the programme
As a result, the dates of adoption at the college remained, for many of them, uncertain. Among the emblematic texts expected, to be mentioned, in a non-exhaustive way, in the environmental and climate field are: - a zero pollution package, including air quality legislation, in the third quarter; - a carbon removal initiative, scheduled for May 2022; - another on the right to repair goods in connection with the circular economy (planned for the third quarter of 2022); - another on the reduction of microplastics (third quarter 2022); - another on biodegradable plastics (April 2022).
In the agricultural field, the Commission plans to adopt a proposal for a revision of the seed legislation in December 2022.
In the area of digital policy, the Commission will present legislation on cyber resilience and the European Chip Act at the end of 2022.
In space policy, the institution plans to present its constellation project on secure connectivity in the second quarter of 2022. The strategic spatial planning is also expected for this period.
The Commission will submit its Single Market Emergency Regulation in early 2022. According to the introductory analysis, this is one of the few initiatives envisaged to effectively reduce the administrative burden.
The institution is planning an initiative to facilitate access to finance for businesses in September 2022. In June, it will present an initiative to converge laws as part of the Capital Markets Union Action Plan.
On the social front, the Commission will put forward a proposal to protect social workers from asbestos exposure, probably in the third quarter of 2022. It will submit a recommendation to the EU Council on a minimum income in the third quarter of 2022. A Communication on long-term care and on education and childcare is planned for September 2022.
In the field of family policy, a new regulation on the recognition of parenthood between Member States is also planned for September 2022.
A European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is also planned for the third quarter of 2022. At the end of 2022, a legislative package to review the customs union is expected.
Also in December, the Commission will present a review of the pharmaceutical legal framework to enhance the safety of medical products and reduce their costs. It also intends to present a revision of the medical legislation for childhood diseases and rare diseases.
The European Commission will present its work programme for 2022 on Tuesday 19 October.
To view this draft: https://bit.ly/3naBYTM (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)