Finland calls on EU to simplify regulation

The Finnish Government has sent the European Commission a list of concrete proposals that would simplify more than 40 pieces of EU legislation. The Government’s proposals focus especially on legislation that affects business and industry and that, if simplified, could reduce the administrative burden on companies. The Government put together the list of proposals to accelerate the simplification process ahead of the March European Council, where competitiveness and the single market will be on the agenda.

In a letter sent along with the proposals, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Finland supports the Commission’s work to simplify EU regulation and reduce the administrative burden.

“We need to reduce the administrative burden so that the European Union and European companies succeed in global competition. Finland wants to contribute to this work. This is why we have highlighted new regulations that need to be amended,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Simplifying EU legislation and improving the efficiency of its implementation are among the Finnish Government’s top priorities for influencing EU policy. The proposal sent to the European Commission today is part of this work. The list was put together from proposals submitted by the ministries at Prime Minister Orpo’s request. The ministries examined EU regulation in their respective branches, particularly from the perspective of business and industry. The proposal highlights EU regulation that places an unnecessary administrative burden on businesses and leads to overlapping or conflicting requirements or unreasonable costs.

The European Commission has set a goal of simplifying EU regulation and reducing the administrative burden on businesses. The Commission has already put forth simplification proposals, or Omnibus packages, for a number of sectors. Finland has now taken the initiative and submitted proposals that the Commission can take into account in its next simplification packages. 

Inquiries: Elisa Tarkiainen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 595 7751 and Tuuli-Maaria Aalto,  Head of Unit, tel. +358 295 160 670, Prime Minister's Office