Brussels, 27/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - In an exploratory opinion adopted by an overwhelming majority at the ESC's plenary session (rapporteur Kenneth Walker, Employers Group, UK) on simplifying single market rules, the ESC considers that a root-and-branch review of all existing legislation is required, but at the same time, guidelines need to be set down for the simplification of future legislation in order to avoid errors that have occurred in the past.
In the exploratory opinion the ESC suggests action to simplifying the single market rules:
1) The Commission should establish a Regulatory Review Body to monitor the review of existing legislation and set out guidelines for new legislation. It should also set up an internal legislative network (operated by a Simplification Unit linked to the General Secretariat) and an inter-institutional network to promote good practice, apply the principles of legislative quality and encourage the development of a new administrative culture. "Specific targets for achieved reductions in the volume of legislation within stated timescales should be set and all new regulations, and existing regulations which are renewed, should be given a finite life at the end of which they would be reviewed for continued relevance.
2) The Council should cooperate in fast-track proposals resulting from the simplification process.
3) The European Parliament should introduce an internal code of conduct for simplification.
4) The Member States should adopt a multi-annual simplification plan at the EU Summit" in Copenhagen in December 2002.