Commission launches consultation on simplification of environmental legislation

On 22 July the Commission launched a call for evidence to gather views on how to simplify environmental legislation, to reduce bureaucracy while maintaining and better achieving the EU’s environmental objectives of this legislation.

The forthcoming omnibus environmental proposal will present measures to simplify legislation in areas such as the circular economy, industrial emissions and waste management. The proposal builds on earlier and widespread stakeholder involvement. Yesterday’s call serves to identify EU environmental policies that could be simplified for businesses without affecting the EU’s environmental objectives or the protection of human health.

All interested parties are encouraged to respond via the “Tell us what you think” portal. The consultation period for this call for data ends on 10 September 2025.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and the Competitive Circular Economy, who is leading the initiative, said: “Our aim is to gather feedback from stakeholders and citizens on how to simplify environmental legislation without compromising our high environmental standards. Reducing the administrative burden of environmental legislation will make it more effective and ensure better protection of the environment in the long term.

The initiative is in line with key EU initiatives, such as the Competitiveness Compass, and with the Commission’s 2025 work programme, which sets a target of reducing administrative burdens by at least 25% for all businesses, and by at least 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Compass also proposes to accelerate permitting for sectors transitioning to a clean and digital economy.

More information: European Commission Representation in Spain