MAKING SURE EUROPEAN LAWS ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE – THE BETTER REGULATION PRINCIPLES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

The introduction of better regulation principles had its origins in the desire for better European governance and for anchoring sustainable development in the Union’s policymaking by looking at economic, social and environmental impacts together. Better regulation is about professionalising every aspect of policy-making and keeping it fit for today's world. Better regulation is also about considering alternative ways to achieve results since legislation should never be an end in itself. Actions at the EU level should always add value compared with what can be done at national, regional or local level.

The main reason for taking up the subject is the observation that the tendencies to regulate the particular market sectors in greater and greater detail are increasing. The obvious reason for that phenomenon is such that the consequences of the financial crisis of the last decade are still felt and that the crisis itself has revealed many threats.

The paper begins with a short discussion about research methodologies, terminology and definitions employed in the course of the study. These considerations are followed by general - practical and systemic deliberations on the notion "better regulation principles". The reconstruction of the "better regulation" in the EU system in terms of its subjects and functions constitutes the pivot of the next part of the paper and, from now on, the analysis of European Union’s Better Regulation agenda. Subsequently, the paper focuses on the examples of different forms of Initiatives to improve the legislative environment in the EU and its Member States. The paper concludes with general remarks