Better Regulation
“Better regulation” is a comprehensive package of European Commission reforms covering the full policy-making cycle, aimed at making EU decision-making more open, transparent and effective.
Basic information
Objectives
Improving the quality of laws through precise impact assessments and continuous review of existing rules.
Toolkit
Includes a set of guidelines, optimisation programmes (such as REFIT) and specialised bodies (the Regulatory Scrutiny Board).
Transparency and participation
Ensures stronger public scrutiny through online portals and guarantees the opportunity for citizens to comment (within 4 to 8 weeks) at all stages of drafting and amending legislation.
The cycle of better regulation
Diagram adapted from the official European Commission better regulation framework (Regulatory Scrutiny Board · Integrated Better Regulation Guidelines).
Source: commission.europa.eu — Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox
The REFIT
The REFIT programme aims to evaluate existing EU legislation in order to make it more effective, eliminate unnecessary regulatory burden and quantify benefits and costs.
Evaluation and optimisation
The programme periodically analyses existing EU legislation with the main aim of making it more effective and eliminating sources of unnecessary administrative burden.
Quantitative measurement
REFIT sets specific targets not only to identify problems but also to measure the costs and benefits of a regulation in concrete quantitative terms.
Practical ideas and accountability
The platform collects real proposals from practice; the Commission undertakes to respond to each of them and to report regularly on the action taken.
Platform for dialogue
A permanent expert forum (the REFIT Platform) is set up, bringing together representatives of business, civil society, the social partners and the Member States.
From assessment to proposal
Double check of the impact
Assessment of the recommended option against key criteria: subsidiarity, proportionality, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the “Think Small First!” principle.
Implementation plans
Early identification and discussion of potential problems in the practical implementation of policies by the Member States and local authorities.
Explanatory memorandum
Drafting an accompanying document setting out the legal basis, the results of the consultations and the digital readiness of the proposal.
Monitoring and reporting
Systematic collection of data and indicators to track the results and the overall impact of the adopted regulation over time.
Monitoring of
impact
The monitoring system is an integral part of better regulation. It systematically provides reliable evidence of the actions taken and the real impact of policies over time.
Systematic data collection
The system gives a precise answer to the key questions for each intervention: what evidence should be collected, when, by what methods and by whom.
Tracking indicators
Continuous analysis of the three main types of indicators: for specific outputs, for results among the addressees and for macro impacts on society.
Ex-post evaluation
Preparing an official, evidence-based opinion assessing the extent to which a policy has achieved its initial objectives and needs.
Measuring effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and added value for each intervention.