Government ends gold-plating of European Regulations
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Issued on 15th December 2010
Secretary of State for
Business, and Chair of the Reducing Regulation Committee, Vince Cable
today set out a series of new principles that the Government will use
when introducing European measures into UK law. These will end
so-called “gold-plating” so that British businesses are not put at a
disadvantage relative to their European competitors.
The key to the new measures
will be the principle of copying out the text of European directives
directly into UK law. The direct ‘copy out’ principle will mean that
British interpretations of European law are not unfairly restricting
British companies.
The new measures are part of
a wider Government policy to tackle EU regulations at the source.
Government will be talking with business organisations about the
European Commission’s plan for future legislation, working closely with
other European countries to make sure that regulations work well on the
ground and improving how evidence is used by the European Parliament
and Council.
Business Secretary Vince
Cable said:
“I want British business to
be a powerhouse for economic growth and among the most competitive in
the world. This move will bring an end to the charge of “gold-plating”.
The way we implement our EU obligations must foster, not hinder, UK
growth by helping British businesses compete with their European
neighbours.
“The new principles are a
first step towards working with British business and Europe to make
sure that we introduce EU rules in a way that will not harm the UK
economy. By cutting the red-tape that can reduce competitiveness and
making sure that businesses are involved in the process both before,
and after through five-yearly reviews, we can get the best deal
possible for British companies.“
The new measures will place
an express duty on ministers to conduct a review of European
legislation every five years. The review process would involve a
consultation with businesses and provide a unique opportunity to
improve how European legislation is implemented, to ensure that it
poses as small a burden as possible on business.
Government will also start
work early on how to implement EU directives to ensure that there is
certainty and early warning about how legislation will be introduced,
but will not implement the regulations early unless there is a
compelling case to do so. Businesses will be invited to take part in
this process and work with Government to make sure that European laws
place the least possible burden on companies.
The key elements of the
principles are:
- Work on the implementation of an EU directive should start
immediately after agreement is reached in Brussels. By starting
implementation work early, businesses will have more chance to
influence the approach, ensuring greater certainty and early warning
about its impact.
- Early transposition of EU regulations will be avoided
except where there are compelling reasons for early implementation.
This will ensure that British businesses are not put at a disadvantage
to their European competitors.
- European directives will normally be directly copied into
UK legislation, except where it would adversely affect UK interests eg
by putting UK businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
- A statutory duty will be placed on ministers to conduct a
review of domestic legislation implementing a European directive every
five years. This will allow businesses to influence any necessary
improvements based on their own practical experience of applying the
rules.
About the Author
© Crown Copyright.
Material taken from the BIS Department for Business, Innovation and
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2010-12-15 17:16:03 in Business Articles
