EU simplification explained

The European Union has promised to simplify laws and cut paperwork for businesses. One way it is trying to do this is through special legislative “omnibus” packages — bundles of measures designed to streamline rules all at once. The EU says this will reduce red tape for businesses and citizens, boost innovation and competitiveness, and improve how EU policies work.

But here’s the catch: while simplification sounds great, it can come at a dramatic cost. Simplification can be used as a disguise to dilute or dismantle key parts of a law, weakening important protections for the environment, public health, and social rights. For businesses too, frequent, hasty, or unclear changes can create uncertainty, making long-term planning harder.

Concerns are mounting. More and more stakeholders and policy-makers warn that the process often lacks public consultation, transparency, proper and agreed procedures, and solid scientific evidence. Beyond the serious environmental impacts, there’s another big worry: that this approach undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in democratic decision-making.

Amid political spin and mixed messaging, myths about what “simplifying” EU legislation really means persist. This FAQ tackles the most common questions — and separates fact from fiction. It has been prepared by: BirdLife Europe, EEB, CAN Europe, T&E, and WWF EU.

Dowload the FAQ to learn more.