The EC has launched consultations on simplifying environmental legislation

The initiative aims to simplify and streamline administrative requirements related to the environment

The European Commission (EC) has launched consultations aimed at simplifying environmental legislation following previous relaxations of sustainable development rules amid criticism from industry.

“The objective is to identify existing EU environmental policies that have the potential for real simplification for operators without affecting the EU’s environmental objectives and the protection of human health,” the institution said in a statement.

This initiative will simplify and streamline administrative requirements related to the environment in the areas of waste, products, and industrial emissions.

As noted, measures may include streamlining administrative obligations, eliminating duplication of reporting requirements and promoting further digitization of the latter, and resolving permit issues.

The EC is also reviewing environmental legislation to identify legislation with the potential to simplify administrative processes. The EU executive body will analyze proposals from current and previous consultations.

Interested parties can submit their opinions until September 10.

«Our objective is to gather insight from stakeholders and citizens on how to simplify environmental legislation without compromising our high environmental standards. Reducing the administrative burden of environmental laws will help make them more effective and ensure better environmental protection in the long run,» said European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in early July, the European Commission launched consultations on CBAM. The aim of the event is to gather the views of stakeholders on the development of policies for the potential extension of the mechanism’s scope, anti-circumvention measures, and rules for the electricity sector.