Green transition was the headline at the start of Ursula von der Leyen's first term as President of the European Commission. But now she may be on her way to a showdown with her own legislation. In a proposal for strengthened competitiveness, which von der Leyen presents on Wednesday, the European Commission announces an "unprecedented" simplification of regulations.
The draft proposal, which is currently circulating in Brussels, states, among other things:
"This Commission will deliver an unprecedented simplification effort. It will aim to achieve the agreed political goals in the simplest, most targeted and least burdensome way," the proposal states.
The European Commission is thus setting out to maintain the green goals. But the reporting requirements that companies are faced with must be relaxed.
"This will start with a first simplification omnibus proposal next month, including a far-reaching simplification within reporting on sustainable finance, sustainability, due diligence and taxonomy", the draft proposal states.
Unsatisfied companies
In the proposal, the EU Commission itself points out that "two out of three companies" believe that "the regulatory burden is the biggest obstacle to long-term investments".
The companies criticize, among other things, that it takes a long time before you can get permits to, for example, launch products. This allows companies in other parts of the world to overtake European companies.
The EU Commission itself acknowledges in the proposal that "this makes Europe a less attractive place to invest compared to other regions".
"Restoring Europe's competitiveness requires that we go much further than before in reducing bureaucracy", the proposal states.
Stephanie Lose: The EU must step up
Minister of Economy Stephanie Lose (V) has spoken in ministerial meetings in Brussels for strengthened competitiveness. Now the EU must "step up", she says.
- We must in particular simplify rules and reduce the administrative burdens, hassle and paperwork that the EU imposes on companies. This is also clearly stated in Draghi's report, and that is why it is important that the EU takes the offensive on this agenda, says Stephanie Lose.
She refers to the report from the former head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi. In the report, which was commissioned by the EU Commission itself, Draghi points out that the EU has fallen behind the US and China due to particularly low growth in productivity.
- The Draghi report paints a truly bleak picture of the EU's competitiveness if we let it stand, says Rikke Wetendorff Nørgaard, deputy director of the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).
That is why Danish companies have called for the "competitiveness compass" that von der Leyen is presenting on Wednesday. Because it will indicate where the EU should take action first in order to become a winning region in the world.
- One of the crucial things the compass points to is a firm prioritization of the EU removing administrative burdens. So the Commission has woken up to the fact that it is too much trouble to be a company in Europe, says Rikke Wetendorff Nørgaard.
She also highlights that the EU Commission will ensure faster approvals for new products and renewable energy projects. As well as ensure easier access to EU funds for companies.
- These are all measures that will make Europe more attractive for investment, says Rikke Wetendorff Nørgaard.
/ritzau/
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