The CIVEX Commission of the European Committee of the Regions has adopted ECR rapporteur Matteo Bianchi’s draft opinion on “A simpler, clearer and better enforced EU rulebook”, calling for less bureaucracy, greater legal certainty and stronger application of subsidiarity. 

“Europe needs rules that are simpler, clearer and easier to apply. But simplification must deliver real results. Less bureaucracy, greater legal certainty and a stable, predictable and proportionate regulatory framework are essential for European competitiveness, investment and job creation,” said Mr Bianchi. 

A particular focus of the opinion is the regulatory burden faced by European businesses, especially SMEs, which are less able to absorb complex administrative requirements. Bianchi highlighted President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Executive Vice-President Fitto, which set the objective of reducing reporting obligations by at least 25% overall and 35% for SMEs. 

“For our SMEs, unnecessary bureaucracy means resources taken away from investment, innovation and growth. The commitment to reduce reporting obligations by at least 35% for SMEs must therefore produce concrete results.” 

The opinion also supports the “one in, one out” principle, whereby new administrative burdens should be offset by reducing equivalent burdens in the same sector.  “The ‘one in, one out’ principle goes in the right direction: new administrative burdens should be compensated by reducing equivalent burdens. We cannot continuously add new layers of regulation and expect our businesses, particularly SMEs, to carry the cost.” 

The wider EU simplification debate also includes a proposal by Italy, Belgium and Germany for a legislative “emergency brake” to halt new EU legislation deemed excessively burdensome for businesses, with the aim of preventing unnecessary regulatory costs from undermining investment and competitiveness. 

At the same time, simplification must go hand in hand with subsidiarity. The opinion calls for local and regional authorities to be involved earlier in the legislative process and warns against simply transferring administrative burdens from EU level to municipalities, regions and smaller administrations. “Our message is clear: less bureaucracy, more subsidiarity and greater attention to those who actually have to implement the rules.”, Mr Bianchi added. 

The opinion will now move to the European Committee of the Regions Plenary for final adoption, scheduled for 3 February 2027