How to control the European Commission when law making – Delegated legislation – Part 1

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“Who will guard against the Guardians”.  Juvenal. Most EU legislation is delegated legislation. Around 93% (and perhaps more) of EU law adopted each year is delegated legislation. The remaining is ordinary (co-decision) legislation, where most NGOs and trade associations spend most of their time and resources, often with marginal substantive impact. Most NGOs and trade associations … Read more

A Dutch Man Lets in the Sunshine to EU Law Making

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Laws made under the glare of publicity tend to be better laws than those made in secret. For a long time I always thought that “sunshine” requirements to law making were a good thing, and then I moved to Brussels, and found out that I was wrong, or at least I had an unhealthy fetish … Read more

How to measure political lobbying success in Brussels

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I have been asked too often “how do you measure success working in Brussels”.  What they often mean is how can I show if the work I am doing here is influencing things. I have taken advantage of an enforced sick leave to go through some old notes and books to write up some “metrics” … Read more