EU Seeks Enhanced Tech-Driven Lawmaking, But Critics Highlight Gaps
Poinews.com – In April, the European Commission released a communication titled “A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook” aimed at streamlining the lawmaking process. The document emphasizes improving the quality of EU regulations, increasing transparency, involving stakeholders more effectively, and simplifying legal frameworks. It also seeks to address issues like regulatory redundancy and ensure Member States adhere to EU rules without unnecessary delays.
While the communication outlines essential reforms, experts argue that the proposed actions fall short of being sufficiently forward-thinking. With the Commission currently engaged in internal debates about efficiency and AI-readiness, there’s a call for bolder strategies to modernize legislative practices. The Consumer Choice Center Europe’s latest paper, “Wiser Regulation — How the EU and individual Member States must transform lawmaking to keep the European economy competitive,” evaluates the same document, identifies systemic issues in current legislative processes, and suggests more ambitious, technology-oriented solutions for EU institutions and national governments.
Procedural Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement
A notable improvement is the commitment to transparently document and report any procedural exceptions in explanatory memoranda. This ensures that both lawmakers and citizens are aware of how frequently and under what circumstances deviations occur, such as when steps from the Better Regulation Guidelines are overlooked. Additionally, the Commission plans to inform stakeholders directly when consultation summaries are published on the “Have Your Say” portal, a measure that, though simple, has yet to be consistently implemented.
“A welcome change — the Commission committed to transparently record and report any procedural derogations in the explanatory memoranda.”
The EC also proposes to introduce a new IT tool to manage EU laws, track their implementation, and detect overlapping regulations. This initiative could significantly reduce bureaucratic complexities and align with the EU’s evolving institutional structure. However, the report stresses that these goals must be prioritized to tackle deep-seated challenges in the legislative system.
Challenges in Urgency Procedures
The urgency procedure, however, remains expansive. The EC’s definition includes four triggers: 1) crises or shocks, 2) severe consequences of inaction, 3) legal deadlines, and 4) a “political context creating a need for urgent action.” While the first two are justified, the latter two are so broad they could justify nearly any procedural shortcut, raising concerns about oversight. Critics suggest these criteria should be more narrowly defined and periodically reviewed.
Accountability and Institutional Culture
Consumer Choice Center Europe’s report outlines actionable recommendations for the European Commission, focusing on enhancing legislative efficiency, building institutional capabilities, and using technology to simplify EU rules. It also emphasizes the need for greater accountability within the Brussels bureaucracy, ensuring all parties are more aligned with the process. For Member States, the report highlights their struggle to keep pace with EU legislative demands, often leading to passive participation in policy-making.
Despite the EC’s consideration of sending additional staff to national capitals, many member states remain understaffed and unable to respond proactively. Mario Draghi recently stated that the EU must evolve into a pragmatic federation to maintain its global competitiveness. Yet, this transformation will require stronger integration and trust from both national actors and external stakeholders, as well as a cultural shift within EU institutions.
