Brussels, 23/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels on Thursday 22 November, the Competitiveness Council has approved the report on progress made under the Portuguese presidency on the “Better Regulation” initiative. Launched in 2005, the initiative aims to improve the regulatory environment to reinforce European competitiveness. The presidency's report reflects the most significant developments in three of the four pillars of the initiative. On the reduction of the administrative burden (fourth pillar), five of the ten points designed to bring about rapid action to reduce the administrative burden on businesses have already been adopted. Impact assessments (third pillar) have been carried out by the Commission for 20 of its new major legislative proposals and initiatives. Lastly, on the simplification of the Community acquis, the Commission has presented 29 initiatives; the report confirms that the Commission will present 25 further initiatives by the end of 2007 and notes that another six will be postponed until 2008 and one has been scrapped. The report also welcomes the Commission's intention to present its second strategic examination of the “Better Regulation” initiative early in 2008. The first examination was completed at the end of 2006 (EUROPE 9306). (E.H.)