Letter to EU leaders on competitiveness and deregulation

Deregulation will only reward the laggards and undermine the leaders

Under the heading of simplification and competitiveness, EU environmental laws has been the target of ongoing deregulation efforts. Yet, these very rules were set for providing clarity, stability, and a level playing field to businesses – while protecting human health and the ecosystems our societies and economies depend on. They help make EU companies benefit from strong standards that favour frontrunners and predictable rules.

Deregulation will only reward the laggards and undermine the leaders, and it risks undermining Europe’s leadership in the green transition. Once a rule maker, the EU is worryingly becoming a rule taker.

Ahead of an informal EU leaders’ retreat on geoeconomics and competitiveness,  we share crucial recommendations on behalf of Europe’s largest network of environmental citizens organisations.