Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission has released its work programme for 2025, stressing simplification and easing the administrative burden of European Union rules.
The European Commission’s publication comes amid an increasing emphasis on de-regulation across many domains. In general, the European Commission stated its work programme this year would concentrate on increasing competitiveness, improving security, and supporting economic resilience.
What are the key priorities of the EU’s 2025 work programme?
The Commission stressed it would seek to lower corporate reporting and other commitments by 25% for all firms and 35% for SMEs, with an assessed saving of €37.5 billion. Stakeholders will also be asked to transfer their background on the effect of EU law on the ground during so-called “reality checks” in order to recognise hurdles faster.
In a statement, the Commission further stated simplification would initially focus on environmental regulations, such as sustainable finance reporting, sustainability due diligence and taxonomy, which specifies standards for economic moves that allow the EU’s net zero threshold for 2050.
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Today, we set the road to the next long-term budget starting in 2028.
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How is the EU focusing on environmental rule simplifications?
It also intends to streamline and allow granting, authorisations and reporting provisions for endeavours like the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. The statement also stated there would be additional simplification measures regarding the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) to promote innovation and investment in the defence domain.
How will the EU address high housing costs in member states?
Regarding housing, the new Commission has contained it as a component of the portfolio of Dan Jørgensen, the Danish Commissioner for Energy and Housing. Ms O’Doherty, who is on the EU Parliament’s housing subcommittee, stated:
“There is big ambition to uproot the problem of high house prices.
“It’s not a competence of the EU; we’re not looking for money, but we can tackle regulations that are hindering home building. Unless there is a commitment to it, then having a Commissioner for housing could become a damp squib.”
Fellow Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh stated she would be “engaging” European Commissioners over the forthcoming weeks to “ensure Irish people tangibly feel the benefits of the work programme”.
The European Commission will also assume a new framework to rev and facilitate the process of returning illegal migrants to their nations of origin. This problem has remained embroiled in the European Union legislative procedure since 2018. The Commission will also start the process towards the approval of the EU’s long-term budget, which will take effect in 2028.
