Simplification and Implementation

Speed, coherence, and simplification are key political priorities in everything the Commission does. The Political Guidelines highlight simplification of EU policies and laws, and their better implementation as essential to make business easier and faster in Europe. Those efforts also lay at the heart of the Commission’s focus to strengthen European competitiveness.

The Simpler and Faster Europe communication sets out a new approach to boost prosperity and resilience and unleash new opportunities, innovation and growth. One the one hand, we propose unprecedented simplification measures that aim to radically lighten the regulatory load and related costs for people, businesses, stakeholders and public administrations in the EU. To deliver on this, the first Commission work programme of this mandate is heavily focused on simplification initiatives, introducing 11 key proposals that aim at cutting red tape and simplifying rules. On the other hand, we are focusing on better implementation of EU policies and laws by working with and supporting Member States in this endeavour and cooperating with other EU institutions as we are confident that shared responsibility drives better results.

A third element of this agenda is enforcement. When cooperation fails and Member States do not implement the law, infringement procedures are necessary to protect the Single Market and safeguard the interests of the citizens. 

Simplification, Implementation, Enforcement  

a. Simplification

The Commission is dedicated to strengthening EU competitiveness and growth while upholding high standards and achieving economic, social, and environmental goals. For this, it aims to streamline rules and reduce the administrative burdens for businesses by 25%, and by 35% for SMEs by the end of this mandate. The 25% reduction target will translate to 37.5 billion savings for businesses. More information here. 

b. Implementation

Over the past years, the EU has tackled challenges head-on, agreeing rapidly on ambitious policies that respond to the multiple and complex crises and events happening inside and outside our continent. Europe’s success depends on the effective implementation of all policies.

Shortcomings in implementing EU policies and laws can seriously affect the effectiveness of these policies, and as a result – EU prosperity and competitiveness. They can also undermine the EU’s ability to defend its values. As a result, people and businesses do not enjoy the full benefits of EU policies, and companies often face significant challenges in overcoming regulatory obstacles, Single Market fragmentation and administrative burdens. The Commission works closely with Member States to help them implement EU law and policies, using a wide array of tools ranging from meetings-based tools to technical and financial support, and including guidance, workshops, implementation strategies, trainings, etc. More information here. 

c. Enforcement 

Infringement procedures are necessary legal tools that the Commission uses when cooperation has failed, and Member States do not implement EU law. They are accompanied by a clear communication explaining the reasoning. As guardian of the treaties, the Commission pursues a resolute enforcement action  to ensure that laws are implemented in order to fight fragmentation of the Single Market and any unlawful gold plating. When enforcing EU law, the Commission prioritises breaches that have the most significant impact on Europeans. More information.

The Commission publishes information on its enforcement activities and Member State’s compliance with EU law through interactive maps and customisable graphs. Information about Commission decisions on infringements is also available online.

2025 Annual Overview Report on Simplification, Implementation, and Enforcement

The Commission set out a vision to significantly lighten the regulatory load for people, businesses, and administrations in Europe, and to improve the implementation of EU policies. We are engaged in an unprecedented simplification and implementation agenda. That’s what this report is about. It showcases concrete measures delivered, what is on the table and the direction ahead. This is the first annual overview report summarising the main results of the Commission’s work towards a simpler and more agile Europe across three key components: simplification, implementation, and enforcement. It covers the period from 1 January to 31 July 2025.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “Since the start of this new mandate, we have left no stone unturned to make our Union faster and simpler, more focused and more supportive of European companies. But simplification alone is not enough. Our rules must also be properly implemented by Member States, and when this does not happen, we must take action. Simplification, implementation, and enforcement go hand in hand.”

Over the next four years, the Commission will continue action to make it easier to implement EU law, policies, and funding on the ground, by simplifying EU rules and reducing regulatory burdens. This is necessary to boost the competitiveness and resilience of our economy, and to deliver fast and meaningful improvements for people and businesses, whilst ensuring the EU’s priorities and objectives are met. 

2025 Annual Progress Reports on Simplification, Implementation and Enforcement

The Annual Progress Reports on Simplification, Implementation, and Enforcement demonstrate progress achieved under the respective portfolio of each Member of the College, including simplification measures, implementation support, and enforcement actions. They inform on the adoption of key initiatives, report on the results of stress tests and reality checks, implementation dialogues, and enforcement actions, and showcase key achievements while identifying challenges which hinder effective implementation.

The Commission is firmly committed to cutting red tape, boosting enforceability and ensuring that implementation doesn’t just happen on paper.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “We will simplify, we will implement, we will deliver.”