The Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) is deeply committed to the highest standards of policy-making. Its vision is to advance the European affairs profession to contribute to ever better policy outcomes, by promoting transparency and openness in EU decision-making.
SEAP welcomes today’s release of a renewed Better Regulation agenda. It has the potential to introduce more transparency, inclusiveness and legal certainty in EU decision-making.
Nevertheless, we would like to highlight the following areas to further strengthen the Better Regulation agenda:
- Consultations: Intensified efforts are needed to improve quality and timing of Consultations, in order to allow appropriate input by all stakeholders.
- Impact Assessments: Additional focus on building objective impact assessments is vital, as they constitute a crucial element of transparency of information to all stakeholders.
- Transparency: Increased transparency in the functioning of Commission expert groups (i.e. access to meeting documents and agendas in a timely manner) would make the EU more open, public and all inclusive.
Wes Himes, President, SEAP commented: “We welcome the Better Regulation agenda and want to ensure that it reflects an open and full debate amongst stakeholders. This can only be done by ensuring everyone has the ability to seek and gather information, have their voice heard and is committed to transparency. Following the adoption of the IIA agreement on transparency, Better Regulation is one of the first opportunities to implement and enhance the principles adopted by the institutions’’.