EU Commission wants to ease environmental regulations

Brussels (dpa) – To ease the burden on the economy, the EU Commission is taking an axe to environmental regulations. Several existing laws are to be revised at the request of the Brussels authority in order to reduce the administrative burden on companies, for example. The Commission estimates that this will save companies around one billion euros a year. EU Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera said that simplifying the legislation ensures a balanced approach and makes it easier for companies to work more efficiently. At the same time, Europe’s core goals in the areas of environment and health would be preserved, said the politician.

The proposals to simplify environmental regulations must now be discussed and approved by the member states and the European Parliament before they can enter into force.

Faster permits and fewer reporting obligations

Specifically, the plan provides for simplified and accelerated environmental assessments for permits. Digitalization is intended to speed up environmental assessments, while at the same time ensuring access to analyses and their processing into reusable data. In addition, companies are to be given more flexibility in implementing environmental regulations, and farmers are to be exempted from certain reporting obligations.

In order to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, Brussels is currently trying to streamline many rules. Recently, for example, an agreement was reached to weaken the European supply chain law for the protection of human rights. In future, it is to apply only to a few large companies.

The reactions to the Commission’s proposals are mixed. Business associations, for example, welcome the planned reduction in bureaucracy but are calling for further relief. Environmental organizations criticize that corporate interests are more important to the authority than environmental protection and that key protection standards are being undermined. (10 December)