EU work programme: Reducing bureaucracy should be the focus

In its work programme for the coming year, the EU Commission is focusing particularly on reducing bureaucracy and improving the competitiveness of the economy.

This article is part of the special topic Bureaucratic madness in the craft industry

The the European Commission has her Work programme for 2024 It contains 18 new political initiatives. reducing bureaucracy and the pioneering economic competitiveness should play a key role in this. The Commission intends to reduce reporting requirements by 25 percent to strengthen competitiveness, thereby easing the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. The programme contains 26 proposals and initiatives to Rationalization of reporting obligations.

"Against the background unprecedented geopolitical, economic, societal and technological challenges, ensuring the competitiveness and economic security of the EU is of highest priority. This is the objective of our new political initiatives for 2024. We will balance the demands on businesses and administrations with the reduction of bureaucracy for our businesses and administrations," explains Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Relief for SMEs

By simplifying customs formalities, the Commission aims to save the economy around two billion euros Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to benefit from the relief measures with around EUR 450 million In addition, six legislative initiatives be withdrawnThis should result in savings of around 7,3 billion euros The 2024 Work Programme contains additional proposals for simplification in various policy areas.

Reporting obligations with limited benefits will be streamlined, for example by consolidating overlapping obligations, reducing the number of companies affected, and increasing digitalisation. Examples of simplification proposals include the Directive on corporate sustainability reporting planned extension of the reporting deadlines, changes to the scope of application of the Accounting Directive and Benchmark RegulationIn 2024, the Commission intends to focus on challenges related to labour and skills shortages, education, social dialogue, inflation and ease of doing business.

Work Programme 2024You can find it here detailed work program (English).
. Annexes to the program (English).
Here you can find one Factsheet about the program.
Here you can find one Technical sheet on reducing administrative burdenDHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!