On Tuesday 21 January, the EU27 economy ministers will hold an initial discussion on how to reduce the administrative burden on businesses. The Polish Presidency of the EU Council wanted to put this issue on the agenda of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) on 21 January, in view of its importance and the recurrence of companies’ grievances.
According to a note from the Polish Presidency consulted by Agence Europe, the problem of regulatory burden is such that “business as usual is not an option as it would not only jeopardise growth and social cohesion in Europe, but, above all, put the European way of life at risk”.
It hopes that the ministers will be able to have a serious and honest discussion on the subject next Tuesday. To guide the discussion, it asks three questions: - How do you envisage the process to identify ideas for simplification, decluttering and administrative burden reduction, including for SMEs and small mid-caps?; - What concrete suggestions for simplifying or reducing regulatory burdens would you like the European Commission to consider in the field of economic and financial affairs?; - What can co-legislators and Member States do to support the simplification, decluttering and reduction of administrative burdens? (Original version in French by Léa Marchal with Mathieu Bion)