Promoting sustainable growth with simpler and smarter environmental legislation
Today, the European Commission presented a package of measures to simplify environmental legislation in the areas of industrial emissions, circular economy, environmental assessments and geospatial data. The changes will contribute to reducing the administrative burden for businesses, while keeping the EU’s ambitious objectives to protect the environment and human health. It will accelerate and streamline permitting processes for all projects, in particular in strategic sectors, such as strategic digital projects, critical raw materials projects and affordable housing, facilitating the transition to a clean and digital economy in the EU. Simplifying regulations and reducing administrative burdens is indeed essential to meet these environmental objectives and strengthen the EU’s competitiveness.
With this proposal, businesses are expected to save approximately €1 billion per year, bringing the annual administrative savings stemming from the omnibuses and other simplification initiatives the Commission has already presented to almost €11 billion per year. It thus brings us closer to the overall target of €37.5 billion in annual administrative cost savings by the end of this Commission’s mandate in 2029.
This initiative is part of a broader effort aligned with the EU’s Competitiveness Compass. It will contribute to cutting red tape and support the EU’s competitiveness and resilience, while fostering green growth.
Today’s simplification package is composed of six legislative proposals. The simplifications proposed today include targeted legislative changes, and reflect the contributions from stakeholders following a call for evidence announced on 22 July 2025. The call gathered more than 190,000 responses.
The European Commission will continue to work towards simplification of existing legislation beyond today’s package of measures, building on the suggestions received during the call for evidence.
Key elements of the proposal
- Streamlined environmental assessments for granting permits
Project developers will benefit from simplified and accelerated procedures, including single points of contact, digitalisation and faster procedures. These measures will speed up key projects necessary for the EU economy. In addition, the proposal includes a toolbox with additional accelerating measures for strategic sectors and projects that contribute to decarbonisation or resource efficiency, including affordable housing.
- Simplified industrial emissions standards for industry and farmers
Companies will have more flexibility under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) in implementing environmental management systems (EMS).
For instance, the requirement to include transformation plans will be removed. More time will be given to operators for the preparation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS). There will be no need for independent audits for EMS.
Farmers and aquaculture operators will be exempted from certain reporting obligations, therefore alleviating administrative burden. Moreover, the scope of farming activities will be simplified and duplications for organic farms reduced.
- More effective digital solutions for hazardous substances in products
The cost of the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database on hazardous substances in products was disproportionately high, and its functions will be replaced with more effective digital solutions such as the Digital Product Passport and implementation of the One Substance One Assessment package. This is why the Commission proposes to amend the Waste Framework Directive to repeal the SCIP database.
- Simplified Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Currently legislation for batteries, packaging, electronic equipment, single-use plastic and waste requires EU-based companies to appoint an authorised representative to fulfil obligations related to their extended producer responsibility. Companies must set up this system in every Member State where they are not established and sell products. This obligation will be suspended for European producers while further streamlining of the EPR schemes under the Circular Economy Act is pending. This will reduce costs to do business in the EU.
- Facilitated access to geospatial data
The current technical requirements for geospatial data under the INSPIRE Directive will be fully aligned with the horizontal legislation governing public sector high value geospatial data. This simplification will lower compliance costs for public authorities and facilitate access to high value geospatial data sets for all public and private users.
Future simplification
The Commission is committed to continuing to exploit the full potential for simplification, stress testing EU legislation and working on effective implementation. The simplification process will continue throughout the next years, focusing on stress-testing, guidance and improving existing legislation.
For example, to ensure a smooth and timely transition of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the Commission is due to publish guidance soon to provide further clarity and harmonised implementation on issues raised in the call for evidence.
Also the Water Framework Directive will be reviewed and revised in 2026 – as already announced in the RESourceEU Action Plan. With the upcoming revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Commission will also aim to improve coherence with the EU freshwater acquis. And as part of the Water Resilience Strategy, there will be a series of Structures Water Dialogues that could identify additional issues and lead to further improvements.
Additionally, the Circular Economy Act, scheduled for 2026, will deliver simpler, harmonised rules and lower costs for cross-border circular activities.
Next steps
The legislative proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for adoption.
Background
The Environmental Omnibus package marks the eighth omnibus proposal. The Commission set a course to simplify EU rules to make the EU economy more competitive and more prosperous, with a clear target to deliver an unprecedented simplification effort by achieving at least 25% reduction in administrative burdens, and at least 35% for SMEs until the end of 2029.
In 2024, a Flash Eurobarometer survey (No 549) of SMEs indicated that intentions to green their operations through resource efficiency, renewable energy and other measures were affected by the complexity of legislation.
Complex administrative or legal procedures and complex environmental reporting were cited by companies of all sizes. Engagement with stakeholders in recent months provided the feedback on practical difficulties and bottlenecks they encounter when ensuring compliance with the laws and where the administrative and reporting burden could be reduced without jeopardising the objective of the laws.
Stakeholders have also underlined the need to accelerate and streamline permitting processes.
