Do you agree with the identified topmost burdensome EU laws?
The 20.8 million European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) create 85% of all new jobs in Europe, they employ 2/3 of the workforce in the EU and they contribute significantly to innovation and growth.
Following the principle “think small first”, and in line with the Small Business Act of 2008, the Commission advise they have put SMEs at the heart of its smart regulation agenda to help growth and job creation in Europe. In a broad consultation initiated by the Commission, around 1000 SMEs and business organisations have now identified the top 10 most burdensome EU laws.
The purpose of this broad consultation was to check where EU regulation might be impeding jobs and growth and to identify areas or issues which would require further examination and action where necessary. The result published today indicates that SMEs see the biggest difficulties and costs as a consequence of the rules regarding the REACH chemical legislation, value added tax, product safety, recognition of professional qualifications, data protection, waste legislation, labour market related legislation, recording equipment for road transport, public procurement and the modernised customs code.
The following EU laws have been identified by SMEs as the TOP 10 most burdensome EU laws:
- REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
- VAT – Value added tax legislation
- General Product Safety and market surveillance package
- Recognition of professional qualifications
- Shipments of waste – Waste framework legislation – List of waste and hazardous waste
- Labour market-related legislation
- Data protection
- Working time
- Recording equipment in road transport (for driving and rest periods)
- Procedures for the award of public contracts (public works, supply and service contracts)
- Modernised customs code
