The European Union has launched a consultation on further simplification of environmental policy in response to criticism from business. At the beginning of the year, the EU already started to reduce part of the legislation in the field of sustainable development, informsReuters agency.
The moves are part of the EU’s broader “simplification” strategy to reduce the regulatory burden on companies that complain that Europe-wide rules are overly complex, which they say makes it difficult for them to compete with companies in the US and China. At the same time, the administration of Donald Trump is actively reducing regulation in the United States.
The European Commission announced the start of public consultations. The statement states that a review of environmental legislation is underway to identify where administrative pressure on companies and government bodies can be reduced.
“The goal is not to reduce the environmental goals of the EU or the level of protection of people’s health guaranteed by eco-legislation, but to achieve them more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary costs.” – says the text of the consultation.
European Commissioner for the Environment Essica Roswall emphasized on Wednesday that it is about “simplifying environmental legislation without compromising high standards of nature protection.”
At the same time, some of the simplification initiatives that have already been announced include a significant reduction in the number of companies subject to sustainability requirements, as well as a relaxation of the mandatory inspection of supply chains for environmental threats or human rights violations.
Such plans have already caused a wave of criticism from environmental organizations, some investors and businesses. Brussels is accused of undermining legislative mechanisms that contribute to the fight against the climate crisis and attracting capital to the “green” economy. The European Ombudsman is considering a complaint by activists who believe that the European Commission is weakening environmental policy without proper public discussion.
So far, a specific list of laws that will be simplified has not been made public. Environmental legislation of the European Union covers a wide range of areas — from water quality control and waste management to regulation of industrial emissions.
