NEW ORGANISATION OF THE EU COUNCIL: A FOCUS ON REGULATORY SIMPLIFICATION

For several years, the European Union has aimed to make its regulations simpler and more effective through initiatives such as "Better Regulation" and REFIT (Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme). On 26 February 2025, the European Commission took a significant step forward by presenting measures intended to reduce administrative complexity and strengthen economic competitiveness. In parallel, the EU Council decided to restructure its internal organisation to better manage these simplification efforts. This reorganisation holds strategic importance, aiming to facilitate revisions of existing legislative texts without burdening the same negotiating groups who have often painstakingly negotiated these measures in the past. Ultimately, the goal is to foster innovation, stimulate Europe's economy, and enhance regulatory clarity for both citizens and businesses.

1. Context and History of EU Regulatory Simplification

Regulatory simplification has long been on the EU’s agenda. Since the late 1990s, various initiatives have been launched to reduce administrative burdens, especially for SMEs. In 2012, the Commission introduced the REFIT programme, intended to regularly assess and improve European legislation where necessary. More recently, under the Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen, the principle of "One-In-One-Out" was adopted, seeking to stabilise regulatory burdens by offsetting new regulations with the removal or simplification of existing ones. However, institutional complexity within the EU and the proliferation of sector-specific legislative acts have sometimes slowed these efforts. Against this backdrop, the Council’s recent reorganisation aims to provide a more comprehensive, less compartmentalised approach to regulatory simplification.

2. Shifting Responsibilities: From Coreper 1 to Coreper 2

Until recently, simplification issues fell under Coreper 1, the body responsible for policy areas such as Competitiveness, Transport, Telecommunications, Energy, Environment, and Employment. Coreper 1 consists of deputy permanent representatives of Member States and covers a wide array of sector-specific policies. However, a recognised risk was that negotiators responsible for reaching compromises in these domains would be reluctant to revisit the very texts they had previously defended, potentially hindering necessary revisions or updates. Now, the primary responsibility for simplification has shifted to Coreper 2, supported by its informal group "Antici". Coreper 2 typically handles Economic and Financial Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Home Affairs—policy areas that are more cross-cutting and strategic in nature. This reorganisation places simplification at the heart of strategic priorities, aiming to:

• Coordinate legislative proposals transversally to reduce complexity or merge certain regulatory texts.
• Prevent conflicts of interest between groups negotiating sectoral legislation and those reviewing their relevance afterward.
• Enhance the Council’s proactive capacity to quickly identify opportunities for regulatory streamlining.

3. A Dedicated Working Group within the Council

To further this ambition, the EU Council established a dedicated working group specifically tasked with managing simplification proposals. This group's primary duties include:

• Handling "omnibus" legislative projects, consolidating multiple existing regulations or directives into a single initiative to reduce legal complexity.
• Reviewing future proposals whose primary goal is regulatory simplification, modernisation, or adaptation to boost competitiveness.
• Conducting impact analyses to ensure simplification does not create regulatory gaps or risks to consumer protection, environmental standards, or fundamental rights.

Based on decisions taken by Member State ambassadors within Coreper 2, specific dossiers can be assigned to this working group, allowing for concentrated expertise. This centralisation aims to increase the Council’s responsiveness to evolving needs in the internal market, particularly in rapidly changing sectors such as digitalisation or green transition.

4. Implications for Competitiveness and Innovation in Europe

Regulatory simplification is often cited as crucial for improving the EU's economic attractiveness. Companies, especially startups and SMEs, frequently highlight the costly and time-consuming nature of administrative procedures. A more integrated and transparent approach to simplification could:

• Stimulate investment and innovation by removing unnecessary constraints.
• Support job creation in high-growth sectors.
• Strengthen the EU’s role as a normative global power, enabling swift adaptation to technological shifts while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

For instance, in the area of digital transition, Europe is actively legislating on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data protection. Making these frameworks clearer and more consistent for businesses is critical for maintaining competitiveness with global economic powers.

5. 2025 Outlook: A Closer Look at Digital Legislation

The Commission’s 2025 Work Programme includes, in its final quarter, a planned evaluation report on digital legislation. Its aim is to identify clearly those regulations that would benefit from simplification or consolidation, notably in areas such as data governance, online platform responsibilities, and cybersecurity. This report could lead to:

• Concrete measures to simplify and clarify obligations imposed on digital businesses.
• The introduction of a "digital package", specifically targeting simplification of cybersecurity regulations, standardising definitions and technical norms, and facilitating cross-border access to online services.
• A potential revision of certain aspects of the eIDAS regulation, Digital Services Act (DSA), or Digital Markets Act (DMA), if needed, to reduce overlaps and improve regulatory coherence.

The EU Council, empowered by its recent internal reorganisation, will play a decisive role in successfully implementing these reforms, balancing user protection with business competitiveness.

Conclusion

The EU Council’s recent reorganisation—entrusting Coreper 2 and a dedicated working group with steering regulatory simplification—represents a significant turning point in EU governance. This choice signals a clear intent to move beyond strictly sectoral approaches, enhancing coordination for a more innovative, transparent, and competitive Europe. Upcoming milestones, particularly the evaluation report on digital regulations and the anticipated digital package in 2025, will be critical for assessing the scale of this ambition. If the EU succeeds in freeing up more resources for innovation while maintaining robust citizen protections, it will solidify its global leadership in both digital transformation and the green transition.

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