EU Enterprise Commissioner Speaks On 'Regulating For Competitiveness'

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

22 April 2004

Speaking at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation's EU Presidency Conference on Monday, European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, Erkki Liikanen discussed the need for the European authorities to regulate with an eye to competitiveness and growth.

Highlighting the importance attached to the pursuit of regulatory reform by European politicians at all levels, Mr Liikanen revealed that as part of the EC's drive to streamline the Union's regulatory framework, four issues are key, namely openness and transparency, assessing the potential impact of a regulatory initiative, considering the alternatives before moving to impose a new regulation, and simplifying the existing structures as far as possible.

"In spite of our efforts the question remains as to whether we are doing enough to identify the competitiveness impact of regulatory proposals," the Commissioner told delegates. He went on to ask:

"Is enough attention being paid to the trade offs between the protection of public interests such as the environment and the burdens of regulations on our businesses? Also, the cumulative effect of rules on the capacity of our businesses to enhance their competitive performance is an important element."

Mr Liikanen also suggested that EU member states also need to assume a share of the responsibility for the Europe-wide regulatory overhaul, given that the bulk of the rules in areas such as taxation, company law, and social security, often cited by businesses as problem areas, are of national origin.

He concluded by announcing that:

"As a final word, I would say that our task, as regulator, is to deliver a predictable and efficient legal environment, to ensure legal frameworks which are conceptually clear and easy to comply with so that businesses may make critical investments in a stable and level playing field."

"This is what the European Commission has committed itself to do and why the "better regulation" package was needed."

"Because it implies a fundamental change in culture towards consultation, planning, co-operation, evaluation, consultation and communication of results, it is ambitious but an ambitious approach is needed if we, the European Union, are to realise our own Lisbon stated ambitions."

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