EU Pushes for Smarter, Tech-Forward Lawmaking; Experts Warn Measures Fall Short

In late April, the European Commission released a communication titled “A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook.” The paper proposes a streamlined rulebook, greater transparency, enhanced stakeholder involvement, a “deep clean” of existing legislation, and mechanisms to curb gold-plating or unnecessary transposition by Member States. It also pledges a new IT tool to track EU laws, identify overlaps and manage implementing rules.

Euronews

The initiative follows the Commission’s earlier Call for Evidence on better regulation, which attracted criticism for its consultation design and timelines. The document references the Better Regulation Guidelines and the “urgency procedure,” whose four triggers—crises or shocks, severe consequences of inaction, legal deadlines, and a “political context creating a need for urgent action”—have been described as overly broad. Historical evidence of non-adherence to the Better Regulation Principles underscores the need for stricter monitoring and cultural change within EU institutions.

Euronews

The Commission has committed to record and report any procedural derogations in explanatory memoranda, aiming to keep lawmakers and citizens informed about shortcuts. It also promises to notify stakeholders directly when consultation summaries appear on the “Have Your Say” portal, a step not previously practiced. Former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi recently remarked that the EU must evolve into a pragmatic federation to sustain its global competitiveness, reinforcing the political impetus behind the reform.

Euronews

The Consumer Choice Center Europe’s report evaluates the communication as insufficiently ambitious. It points out that the follow-up document offers only vague promises on public-consultation design and suggests that the standard 12-week consultation window could be cut to six weeks, even during holiday periods. The report warns that Member State administrations are often understaffed, limiting their ability to engage proactively with EU policymaking. Experts argue that without genuine integration of national governments and external stakeholders, and without robust trust in EU institutions, the proposed tech-forward tools will face resistance and may fail to curb rising anti-EU sentiment.

Euronews