Whither the Commission’s Rules of Procedure?

It is useful to have rules and to follow them. The EU is a rules-based system. There is no shortage for them. The Commission has lots of them. They have hidden most of them out in plain sight. For example: President’s Political Guidelines – https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/political-guidelines-next-commission_en.pdf Work Programme – https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/2019-commission-work-programme-key-documents_en Working Methods – https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/the_working_methods_of_the_european_commission_2014-2019_november2014_en.pdf Commission’s Rules of Procedure – https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:02000Q3614-20111116 … Read more

Better Regulation’s Enforcer – the RSB

The incentives for politicians to follow the strictures of Better Regulation are low. They’ll always be lured away by the opportunities for quick and easy victories. There is little to no regard to second or third-order consequences. The prospect that a well-placed news piece leads to quickly drafted and often ill-thought-out legislation used to be … Read more

Fisheries Committee throw a Sinkevičius a slow ball

The European Parliament Fisheries Committees for Commissioner-designate Sinkevičius are unofficially out. He will face the questions below, amongst others, on Thursday 3 October between 2:30 pm – 5:30 p.m. What are your ambitions for the next five years with regard to the advancement of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies, striking the balance between the conservation … Read more

A primer – Inter-Service Group to Inter-service Consultation

Inter-Service Group to Inter-service Consultation Inter-Service Group An impact assessment is required for Commission initiatives that are likely to have significant economic, environmental or social impacts. Work for major initiatives can begin once political validation by the First Vice President, Vice President, Commissioner and in close collaboration with the President. The political validation requirements are below: … Read more