Call for evidence: simplification of administrative burden in environmental legislation

Administrative and reporting requirements in EU environment regulations play a vital role in safeguarding transparency, accountability, and legal certainty for businesses, consumers, and governments alike. They protect consumer rights, ensure fair competition, and uphold Europe’s high regulatory, environmental, and social standards. Through data collection and analysis, regulators can detect risks, monitor compliance, and adapt policies to keep pace with rapid economic and technological change. Standardised reporting also strengthens trust in markets and fosters investor confidence.

Yet, when bureaucracy becomes excessive, it risks holding Europe back. Companies, and small and medium-sized businesses in particular, can struggle with high compliance costs, lengthy procedures, and complex documentation that drain resources from innovation, growth, and job creation. In highly regulated sectors like medical technology, overburdensome rules may even hinder patients’ timely access to life-saving solutions and weaken Europe’s global competitiveness.

The challenge is balance: maintaining strong oversight while simplifying processes. By embracing digital tools, aligning legislation, and applying proportionality, the EU can reduce administrative burdens without compromising safety or sustainability. MedTech Europe identifies five recurring drivers of unnecessary complexity and offers concrete recommendations to help Europe remain a leader in innovation, patient care, and responsible regulation.