Introduction

Better regulation

About

BEUC’s role is to help make EU laws serve the consumer interest.  In the past 40 years EU legislation has protected consumers against shoddy products or toxic chemicals, provided redress options against dishonest traders and ensured consumers get all the information necessary to make a good purchase decision.

The European Commission’s ‘Better Regulation’ initiative (REFIT), one of the flagships of President Juncker, is about reducing regulatory burden, in other words lowering the cost of EU laws for business. BEUC and other public interest organisations are concerned this will lead to scrapping, delaying or watering down necessary laws in an attempt to keep costs for business down while neglecting the needs of consumers and citizens.

BEUC will continue to raise its voice to ensure that EU legislation empowers and protects consumers in Europe and benefits all society. To see a practical example, check out this blog post from our colleague Pelle Moos. He clearly breaks down how REFIT could unravel the safety net that protects us from dangerous chemicals.


BEUC and more than 50 civil society organisations have joined forces to create the Better Regulation Watchdog – a network to examine if the Better Regulation agenda risks existing social, labour, environmental or consumer standards.