Better Regulation: Commission publishes REFIT Platform Opinions on making EU regulation more effective and efficient

The European Commission has today published 16 Opinions adopted by the REFIT Platform, which brings together a diverse group of experts to make suggestions on how to improve existing EU legislation and the way it is implemented in Member States. The Opinions will feed into the Commission’s reflection on its 2017 Work Programme. The work of the REFIT Platform is driven by its members, on the basis of input received from the public via the ‘Lighten the Load‘ tool. This online portal is open for all members of the public to provide their suggestions for reducing the regulatory burdens they experience in their daily lives. Platform members assess the merits of the stakeholder contributions, look at practical ways to follow up on them and make recommendations to the Commission. The REFIT Platform, launched as part of the Better Regulation Agenda,  is chaired by Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and composed of high level experts from each Member State, from business and other civil society interests, and from the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. The Commission has sought a balanced representation of different sectors, interests, regions and gender. The Platform met for the first time in January this year, and its members worked in a constructive and collaborative spirit to adopt these Opinions and provide timely input which will help the Commission prepare its 2017 Work Programme. The Commission is committed to responding to each Opinion submitted. The Opinions can be found on the REFIT Platform website, and a video on the Platform’s role is available here.