Better Regulation in the European Union

Abstract

In this chapter, we outline the foundations of better regulation by reviewing the historical record tracing the main episodes. Specifically, we cover: the 1992 Edinburgh summit to the Mandelkern Report of 2001, the Prodi Commission’s package on regulatory reform, impact assessment and consultation, the dialogue between the Council and the Commission on setting targets for administrative burdens, the rise of regulatory oversight first with the Impact Assessment Board (2007) and then with the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB), the Juncker-Timmermans vision for better regulation and the commitment to regulatory off-setting of the von der Leyden Commission. With the foundations laid, we finally explore what lies ahead.