COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 26.11.1997 
COM(97) 626 final 
BETTER LAWMAKING 1997 
COMMISSION REPORT TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL 

CONTENTS 
INTRODUCTION 1 
I. PREPARATION OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS 2 
1. Commission initiative on legislation: overview 2 
2. Subsidiarity/proportionality 3 
3. Consultation 5 
4. Drafting quality of Community legislation 6 
H. REVISION OF EXISTING LEGISLATION 6 
1. Simplification 6 
2. Formal consolidation, informal consolidation and recasting 7 
HI. ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY LAW 8 
CONCLUSIONS 9 
A&-
ANNEX I 
ANNEX II 
ANNEX III 
ANNEX IV 
ANNEX V 
ANNEX VI Proposals for new legislation as a proportion of all Commission 
proposals since 1990 
Formal proposals and other Commission discussion and 
consultation documents 
Total number of draft technical regulations notified by the 
Member States 
Commission reactions to draft technical regulations notified in 
1996 
Progress on simplification 
Progress on consolidation since the 1992 Edinburgh European 
Council 
INTRODUCTION 
The purpose of this annual report to the European Council1 is to describe the action 
taken by the Commission to help the Community achieve "better lawmaking". It shows 
that the considerable effort made by the Commission since the Edinburgh European 
Council has borne fruit and confirms that it was right in its approach of doing less but 
doing it better, consulting interested parties more extensively, improving the drafting 
quality of its texts, simplifying and consolidating existing legislation, and seeking to 
provide easier access to Community law. The Commission is equipping itself to 
continue work in this direction through major internal reform initiatives such as 
MAP 20002 and SEM 2000.3 
Better lawmaking is not only a matter for the Commission. It also concerns Parliament 
and the Council, the two institutions which share joint responsibility for adopting 
Community legislation. This implies that the objectives pursued should be consistent. 
Reality, however, does not always match the ideal. Experience shows that where 
unanimity is required in the Council - and sometimes in other cases too - the need to 
find a compromise acceptable to all frequently tends to make the original proposal 
more complex. The changes made to texts on the basis of amendments adopted by the 
European Parliament may not necessarily enhance their simplicity or readability. 
Proposals for simplification and formal consolidation also tend to get stuck at the 
proposal stage for a long time. 
The Member States, for their part, must endeavour to implement Community law 
effectively. Today - five years after the 1992 deadline - nearly 25% of the measures 
relating to the single market have not yet been implemented by the Member States. 
The situation is much the same in the area of the environment, for instance. It is not 
just a matter of Member States taking steps to transpose Community legislation; the 
measures they adopt must comply with the Community requirements and they must be 
correctly applied. 
In this context, the Commission also realises that better lawmaking means adopting 
texts at Community level that are easy to transpose and to apply at national level. 
The Member States, too, have a heavy responsibility in terms of the quantity and 
quality of the legislation they adopt. Their legislative output remains substantial and 
1 This report is in response to the requests made by the Edinburgh European Council in 
December 1992 and subsequent European Councils, and to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 
29 October 1993 on the application of the principle of subsidiarity (Bull. EC 10-1993, p. 128). 
After the first reports in 1993 (COM (93)545) and 1994 (COM (94) 533), the Commission took 
the view that the report's scope should be extended to cover all action aimed at improving the 
quality of legislation ("Better lawmaking"). This approach was approved by the European 
Council. As a result "Better lawmaking" reports were presented in 1995 (CSE (95)580) and 1996 
(CSE (96) 7). "Better lawmaking 1997" continues along the same path. 
2 MAP 2000 - Modernisation of Administration and Personnel Policy for the year 2000. 
3 SEM 2000 phase II (developing better internal financial management, SEC (95) 1301) and 
SEM 2000 phase III (better financial coordination between departments in the Commission and 
the Member States, SEC (97)1060, transmitted on 28 May 1997). 
1C 
complex, with the risk of causing fragmentation of the market. The Member States 
therefore have to play an active part in the process of better lawmaking. 
L PREPARATION OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS 
1. Commission initiative on legislation: overview 
Formal proposals 
Since the beginning of the 1990s the number of proposals for new legislation has been 
in steep decline, even though the overall volume of proposals shows only a small 
reduction (Annex I). This trend has been reinforced by the present Commission's 
determination, ever since it took office in 1995, to do less but to do it better, in other 
words to concentrate on its political priorities. Closer European integration does not 
necessarily mean more legislation. The results achieved by the Commission show that 
it is possible. 
This downward trend is due partly to observance of the principle of subsidiarity, but 
also to completion of the programme set out in the 1985 White Paper on the internal 
market and, more generally, to the diversification of the instruments used for 
integration (for example, new measures, including non-legislative instruments, on 
employment, the single currency or the new action plan for the single market). 
However, the Commission, as the institution with the right of initiative, must act where 
action is required (especially as, in such cases, Community-level action can sometimes 
save the need for a large number of piecemeal national measures). With the 
implementation of "Agenda 2000",4 it is not surprising that the programme for 1998 
should involve some increase in the number of proposals for new legislation, especially 
as regards the Structural Funds and the common agricultural policy. 
The table in Annex II shows the breakdown of formal proposals which, leaving aside 
new legislative initiatives, concern legislation on external relations, the revision of 
existing legislation, acts relating to the continuation of measures already under way 
and implementing measures. The Commission is under an obligation tp take some of 
these measures, either as a direct consequence of international undertakings, under 
existing Community law or in response to legitimate requests by other institutions or 
the Member States. As regards implementing measures, many are due to the fact that 
the Community legislator sometimes reserves implementing powers to itself, usually as 
a result of disagreement over how these powers should be assigned to the 
Commission. Proposals of this type, which place a heavy workload on the Council and 
Parliament, could in future be usefully replaced by measures to be taken by the 
Commission with the assistance of committees. 
COM (97)2000, transmitted on 16 July 1997. 
As regards technical regulations, the Member States are the major producers and here 
there is a marked upward trend (see Annexes III and IV). 
Lastly the Commission is constantly seeking to eliminate any proposal that is 
unnecessary or no longer relevant. Each year it withdraws proposals that are outdated* 
61 in 1995, 48 in 1996, and about 30 in 1997. 
Documents for discussion and consultation and reports 
As is shown in Annex II, each year the Commission produces a great quantity of 
discussion papers and documents for discussion and consultation and reports. The 
purpose of discussion and consultation documents (Green or White Papers, certain 
communications) is to foster discussion with all interested parties so that the 
appropriate course of action can be decided (see 3 below). Reports, which constitute 
the bulk of such documents (50%) are generally a response to requests from 
Parliament and the Council contained in most cases in legislative provisions. There is a 
case for simplifying, or even rationalising these obligations. 
2. Subsidiarity/proportionality 
Subsidiarity and proportionality are the guiding principles for measures proposed by 
the Commission. It has always observed the guidelines for implementing these 
principles (defined by the Edinburgh European Council, largely on the Commission's 
initiative). These are now incorporated in a protocol to be annexed to the EC Treaty 
under the Treaty of Amsterdam. 
Subsidiarity 
In accordance with Article 3b EC, the Commission continues to concentrate on taking 
action where this is necessary and offers the most effective way of achieving objectives 
for which action at national level is not sufficient. Systematic individual evaluation is 
carried out whenever action is envisaged. 
The Commission's efforts have borne fruit. Proposals for new legislation5 number just 
7, of which 46 are in areas of exclusive Community competence, where the principle of 
subsidiarity does not apply. There are therefore only 37 proposals in areas of shared 
competence. In these cases, the Commission has set out the reasons for its choice in 
the explanatory memorandum. 
5 New legislative initiatives are set out in the Commission's annual work programme. 
6 Surveillance of national budgetary positions (COM(97) 305 and 306, transmitted on 
10 June 1997; motor vehicle civil liability insurance (COM(97) 510, transmitted on 
3 October 1997); legal protection of conditional access services (telecommunications) (COM(97) 
356, transmitted on 2 October 1997); research and technological development (COM(97) 142, 
transmitted on 1 April 1997). 
7 Voluntary service for young people (COM(96) 610, transmitted on 18 November 1997); air 
transport: crew training (COM(97) 382, transmitted on 22 July 1997); road transport: 
admission to occupation (COM(97) 25, transmited on 27 January 1997). 
The Commission has also chosen, in parallel, to recommend alternative solutions to 
legislation, such as agreements negotiated with industry in the field of the environment. 
The Council and Parliament have approved the Commission's approach in recent 
resolutions.8 
In other cases accession to international agreements makes it possible to integrate 
these agreements themselves, or the decisions implementing them, in the Community 
legal order and, where appropriate, to make them directly applicable; in other words, 
the objectives of the action «envisaged can sometimes be better achieved at international 
level rather than simply at Community or national level ("upwards" application of the 
principle of subsidiarity). This is the case with the proposal on technical standards for 
motor vehicles, currently under discussion in the Council.9 
Proportionality 
Examples show how the Commission goes about complying with the proportionality 
principle. 
The Commission is very careful over its choice of instrument: it is making increasing 
use of directives which simply lay down general principles10 or directives confined to 
setting out essential common measures.11 Of course, care is needed - in particular 
through dialogue with national institutions - to ensure that such directives do not open 
the way to disparities in national legislation. The Commission is nevertheless convinced 
that they are a useful instrument for ensuring that the principle of proportionality is 
observed. This is the approach confirmed by the protocol to be annexed to the EC 
Treaty under the Treaty of Amsterdam. 
Assessing the impact of proposals can also help in checking to ensure that 
proportionality is properly taken into account. This is a delicate task, witness the 
contrasting findings arrived at by the Member States and the differences in 
methodology observed. However progress has been made on this front. 
As regards the single market in particular, the action plan adopted by the Amsterdam 
European Council12 includes plans to consult a European business panel (comprising 
small and medium-sized businesses) to assess the cost and administrative burden for 
businesses of proposed new legislation. The Commission will set up the panel and 
launch some pilot projects in the course of 1998. 
8 Council resolution of 7.10.1997 (OJ C 321; 22.10.1997, p.6) and European Parliament resolution 
of 17.7.1997 (OJ C 286, 22.9.1997). 
9 Proposal for a Decision with a view to accession by the European Community to the United 
Nations Economic Commission for Europe Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform 
technical requirements for the approval of motor vehicles (COM(95) 723, transmitted on 
12 January 1996). 
10 Such proposals for directives were adopted in the areas of water policy (COM(97) 49), VAT 
applied to telecommunications services (COM(97) 4) and the transport of dangerous goods by 
waterway (COM(97) 367). 
11 As in the field of energy product taxation (COM(97) 30) or airport taxes (COM(97) 154). 
12 CSE (97) 1, transmitted on 9 June 1997. 
3. Consultation 
Consultation, which the Commission makes wide use of when drawing up proposals, is 
intended to provide greater openness and participation. Consultation - as wide-ranging 
as possible - enables it to exercise its choice having regard to the Community interest 
and in the full knowledge of the views of the operators concerned, without shirking its 
responsibilities. 
The Commission undertook last year to make its Green and White Papers more 
homogenous and better targeted. The list13 for this year shows that it has achieved its 
objective. Their publication on the Internet has also made them more accessible. 
These two types of document have proved their value. One example worth quoting is 
the Green Paper on copyright.14 By the end of the year, the Commission will adopt a 
proposal taking account of a very large number of observations received following the 
its publication. The Commission hopes that other documents of this kind, such as the 
Green Paper on the general principles of food law,15 will have the same impact. 
Besides bringing out Green or White Papers, the Commission seeks consultation 
through communications, as in the area of competition, where it plans to introduce the 
decentralised application of Articles 85 and 86 EC, which will allow tasks to be 
divided better between the Member States and the Community.16 
A widespread network of advisory committees of professionals in the fields concerned 
and expert groups contributes towards effective consultation. These include around ten 
scientific committees made up of independent experts which have recently been 
reorganised. Their opinions are now published on the Internet. 
The Commission also keeps up a constant dialogue with interest groups, which 
participate constructively in its work, especially in the drafting of technical rules. The 
directory which the Commission published in January 1997 covers some 600 
organisations. The Commission pursues a policy of granting these interest groups 
equal treatment. 
Lastly, this year saw further progress in the application of the procedure set out in the 
agreement on social policy, which is concerned with the legislative implementation of 
the results of consultation with the social partners.17 
13 Green Papers on: competition policy and vertical restrictions, partnership for a new organisation 
of work, supplementary retirement pension in the single market, the Community patent, and food 
legislation. White Paper on sectors and activities outside the scope of the working time Directive. 
14 COM (95) 382, transmitted on 27 July 1995. 
15 COM (97) 176, transmitted on 13 May 1997. 
16 Commission notice on cooperation between national competition authorities and the Commission 
in handling cases falling within the scope of Articles 85 and 86 of the EC Treaty (C 3019 of 
10.10.1997). 
17 The framework agreement on part-time working was embodied in a Commission proposal 
(COM(97) 392, transmitted on 14 July 1997). Similarly, the social partners have been consulted 
on the prevention of sexual harassment and on informing and consulting workers in the national 
framework. 
4. Drafting quality of Community legislation 
Community legislation needs to be worded clearly, consistently and unambiguously, 
following uniform principles of presentation and legal drafting. All the institutions have 
taken steps in this direction in recent years. The Council, for instance, adopted a 
Resolution on the quality of drafting of Community legislation.18 
The Commission devotes a large part of the "General guidelines for legislative 
policy"19 which it adopted in 1996 to the quality of drafting. This year, the Legislative 
Drafting manual has been updated to guide Commission departments when drafting 
legislative proposals and other legal instruments. It has also started on improving the 
layout and processing of legislative documents to make it easier to publish them 
electronically (SEI-LEG project). 
Even if all the institutions follow this lead, it still has to be done in a consistent manner. 
For this reason a declaration was annexed to the final act of the Treaty of Amsterdam 
asking the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to adopt, by 
common agreement, guidelines to improve the drafting quality of legislation. The legal 
services of the three institutions are already working in consultation with one another. 
The Commission thus hopes to produce a set of common rules on the quality of 
legislation. 
II. REVISION OF EXISTING LEGISLATION 
1. Simplification 
The Commission has continued, consistently and without neglecting any sector, the 
simplification work begun following the Edinburgh (1992) and Brussels (1993) 
European Councils. This year it presented 10 proposals in the areas of agriculture, 
competition, energy, the environment, taxation, industrial products, recognition of 
diplomas, statistics and telecommunications. It also took 1 decision on simplification in 
the field of statistics. 
Some examples will illustrate the simplification approach followed by the Commission. 
In the very complex field of water, it proposed a framework directive20 which will 
ensure greater consistency and repealed 6 legislative acts. In the field of scientific 
research, the Commission presented a draft decision to harmonise and simplify access 
and implementation of all the research programmes under the 5th framework 
programme.21 
18 Resolution of 8 June 1993 (OJ C 166, 17.6.1993). 
19 Bull.1/2 1996, point 1.10.11. 
20 COM (94) 49, transmitted on 15 April 1997. 
2 ] Proposal on rules for participation in Community R&TD and for dissemination of research results 
(Article 130j EC). 
A table giving an overview of all the simplification work undertaken by the 
Commission since the Brussels European Council and summarising the state of play of 
work in the Council and Parliament is contained in Annex V. 
The Amsterdam European Council in June 1997 reinforced this approach by giving an 
impetus allowing the Commission to launch two large-scale initiatives: 
- the action plan for the single market proposes a rolling simplification 
programme, incorporating in particular the innovative method begun in 1996 
with SLIM (simplifying legislation relating to the internal market), and other 
existing methods of simplification. Simplification thus forms an essential pillar 
of the single market, allowing better application and transposition of 
Community law. This year a second phase of SLIM was launched in relation to 
VAT, the combined nomenclature for external trade, banking services and 
fertilisers. A third phase is due to be launched in January 1998 and a fourth in 
May, in line with the action plan for the single market. It is important for 
Parliament and the Council to adopt the Commission's proposals in this area 
quickly, so as not to hamper the smooth running of the single market. The 
action plan also encourages the Member States to match this exercise with 
initiatives for simplification at national level. They reported on this issue to the 
Council (Internal market) on 27 November. 
- the Commission set up the "Business Environment Simplification Task 
Force" (BEST),22 which was given the task of identifying the factors acting as 
a legislative or administrative brake on small businesses. The Task Force, 
comprising independent experts from the Member States, will help to better 
define the conditions in which such firms can prosper and develop. These 
indications will be useful both for the Community and for the Member States. 
BEST, which started work in October, presented an interim report which the 
Commission sent to the European Council on employment held on 21 and 
22 November. A final report will be submitted to the Commission in May 1998, 
on the basis of which it will formulate comments for the Cardiff European 
Council. 
2. Formal consolidation, informal consolidation and recastine 
Formal consolidation is u major task from the technical point of view, bearing in mind 
the number of amendments that have been made to many legislative instruments and 
the constraints of multilingualism. Account also has to be taken of the fact that the 
legislation to be consolidated is constantly changing, which complicates the process. 
The Commission is continuing its efforts (see state of progress in Annex VI). By the 
end of 1997, new proposals for formal consolidation will have been presented to 
22 SEC (97) 1697. 
Parliament and the Council23 involving the repeal of some 61 pieces of legislation. The 
Commission has already identified the sectors where a special effort is needed between 
1998 and 2000: labelling of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, safety at work, customs, 
indirect taxation and agriculture. 
In parallel with the complex task of formal consolidation, the Commission is 
undertaking informal consolidation for information purposes in order to meet the 
wishes of operators. This has no legal effect but is very useful for all the "consumers" 
of Community law. From 1995 to October 1997 more than 310 basic pieces of 
legislation have been consolidated, which involved processing some 2500 different 
texts, each in 9 or 11 language versions. Since 1 July 1997 these texts are gradually 
being loaded on to the interinstitutional server "Europa", where they are accessible 
free of charge via the Internet (see III below). 
The technique of recasting is used where amendments are made to a piece of basic 
legislation. It involves adopting a new act and repealing the old basic act. This is the 
best solution to ensure constant clarity of legislation and could offer an alternative to 
formal consolidation. The Commission would point out that more systematic use of 
recasting is conditional on the signature of an interinstitutional agreement with the 
European Parliament and the Council. Preparatory technical discussions have begun 
between the legal services of the institutions. The Commission hopes that the 
European Council will call on the institutions to speed up the work under way. 
m. ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY LAW 
Access to information on Community law is essential for businesses and individuals 
who wish to benefit fully from the opportunities offered by the single market and 
Community policies. The Commission intends to take every opportunity offered by 
new information technology, especially the Internet, to achieve this goal. This is a 
genuine revolution as regards the means of accessing Community law. 
The interinstitutional server Europa on the Internet is intended to serve as a support 
for many initiatives in this direction, in particular: 
- the "Citizens First" priority action, the aim of which is to inform people of 
their rights.24 The second phase of this operation will be launched in 
December 1997. 
- a project to facilitate access to Community law. It is already possible to 
consult recent judgments by the Court of Justice and legislation that has been 
23 In particular the proposals on fishing in the Baltic, the financing of the common agricultural 
policy, harmful organisms, the Community's own resources and collective dismissals (amended 
proposal for formal consolidation). 
24 Working in another country of the European Union; residing in another country of the European 
Union; studying, training and carrying out research in another country of the European Union; 
buying goods and services inside the single market; travelling to another country of the European 
Union; equal rights and opportunities for men and women in the European Union. 
Consolidated. From January 1998 this will also gradually become possible for 
Community legislation in force and the Official L and C series of the Official 
Journal as issues appear; 
- a scheme for an "information shop", planned for July 1998 under the action 
plan for the internal market, to offer information on all Community regulations 
that have an impact on businesses. 
With the same aim of improving information, the Commission has published a number 
of practical guides25 spelling out the conditions attaching to the application of 
Community legislation. 
CONCLUSIONS 
The conclusions of this report are as follows: 
in the space of a few years the Commission has taken a substantial number of 
initiatives to improve the quality of Community lawmaking, simplify and 
consolidate existing legislation, and improve access to information on 
Community law. The process is well under way and a new legislative culture 
has been established; 
this action is steadily intensifying and major developments are in store in the 
future, as shown, for instance, by the action plan for the internal market and 
BEST. Tried and tested methods have been put in place. The Commission 
hopes that the conference which the UK Presidency plans to hold in 
March 1998 will enable further follow-up action; 
these initiatives will not, however, have the desired effect unless the other 
institutions give stronger support; the responsibility rests with them, for 
example, to adopt the large number of pending proposals for simplification or 
formal consolidation; 
the Member States have a major role to play in this area. As the main authors 
of legislation, it is for them at national level to match the effort being made at 
Community level; 
when the Member States ask the Commission to present proposals, they should 
carry out a prior assessment in the light of the principles of "better lawmaking". 
Improving the quality of legislation, as the European Council underlined in 
Amsterdam, must continue to be a political priority for the European Union and its 
Member States. It is important not to underestimate the value of "better lawmaking" 
25 See, for example, the guides already published or in the course of publication on technical 
regulations, low-voltage electrical current, electromagnetic compatibility, the health and safety of 
pregnant women at work and the rules on the production, marketing and import of products of 
animal origin for human consumption. 
for enhancing people's perception of Europe, boosting the competitiveness of business 
and industry, and smoothing the path to enlargement. 
10 
At 
ANNEX I 
PROPOSALS FOR NEW LEGISLATION AS A PROPORTION OF ALL COMMISSION PROPOSALS SINCE 1990 
800 
700 
6004 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 
i Proposals for new legislation D Other proposals 1997* 1998" 
"Situation at 10/11/1997 
* forecasts 

COMMISSION INITIATIVES IN 1997** ANNEX II 
FORMAL PROPOSALS 
I Continuation of 
measures 
already under way: 
34 
(10%) 
D International 
relations: 183 
(55%) I New legislation: 7* 
(2%) I Revision 
of legislation: 23 
(7%) 
D Implementing 
measures: 88 
(26%) 
' Proposals for new legislation are set out in the Commission's annual programme 
DISCUSSION, CONSULTATION AND REPORTS 
D Working a Green/White 
papers: 7 Papers: 6 
3% 3% 
I Reports: 116 
50% I Communications: 
103 
44% 
* * Situation at 10/11/1997 
Source : APC database, which covers all Commission proposals and indicates the different procedural stages 
A'I 

Total number of draft technical regulations notified by the Member States 
(Drafts of technical specifications for products notified under Directive 83/189/EEC) ANNEX III 
Q Notifications (not including transposai 
measures notified) 
B Opinions on drafts which could be in 
breach of Community law 
* These figures do not include the 230 
notifications - made in 1997 - of rules adopted in 
recent years by the Netherlands in breach of 
Community law (see judgment of the Court of 
Justice in CIA Security International SA - Case C 
194/94) 
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 (projection) 

ANNEX IV 
Commission reactions to draft technical regulations notified in 1996 
(Drafts of technical specifications for products, notified under Directive 83/189/EEC) 
600 
Drafts notified to the Commission Comments Opinions In abeyance 
Comments are suggestions intended to prevent the creation of barriers to the working of the single market. 
Opinions amount to formal notice that the draft contravenes Community law. 
Drafts are in abeyance where the Commission is preparing a proposal on the subject or where the Council has adopted a common position on a 
proposal. 

Annex V 
STATE OF PLAY ON SIMPLIFICATION 
SIMPLIFICATION MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE 
COMMISSION AND STATE OF PLAY 
SECTOR I COMMISSION I ACTION TAKEN 
SIMPLIFICATION 
INITIATIVE 
FOODSTUFFS 
Foodstuffs intended for Proposal for a European Council adopted common 
particular nutritional uses Parliament and Council position on 22 July 1997. 
(approximation of laws) Directive transmitted on Parliament second reading 
28 March 1994, COM(94) 97. scheduled for 
15 December 1997. The 
common position does not fully 
achieve the simplification 
originally sought. This is an 
example of the Council failing 
to follow a Commission 
proposal for simplification. 
Mineral waters (approximation Proposal for a European European Parliament and 
of laws) Parliament and Council Council Directive 96/70/EC 
Directive transmitted on (OJ L 299, 23.11.1996). 
17 October 1994, 
COM(94) 423. 
Vertical directives on Seven proposals for European Parliament delivered opinion 
chocolate, fruit juices, jams, Parliament and Council on "coffee " and "chocolate " 
honey, coffee, milk Directives transmitted on proposals in October 1997. 
30 May 1996, COM(95) 722. Council agreement on "coffee " 
proposal expected at Internal 
Market meeting on 
27 November 1997. 
Foodstuffs (general) Green Paper on the general 
principles of food law on 
30April 1997, COM(97) 176. 
This document provides for 
various simplification options 
in this area. Reactions of 
interested parties now being 
analysed. 
Fertilisers Directive 76/116/EEC 
(OJ L 24, 30.1.1976) is being 
assessed with a view to 
simplification under the second 
phase of SLIM. 
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS 
Construction products Directive 89/I06/EEC ~~ 
(OJL 40, 11.2.1989) is being 
assessed with a view to 
simplification under the second 
phase of SLIM. 
Measuring instruments Proposed simplification 
directive is being prepared. 
This will replace 15 detailed 
directives now outdated as a 
result of technical 
developments. 
COMPETITION 
Merger control Proposal for Regulation Council Regulation (EC) 
transmitted on No 1310/97 of 30.6.1997 
16 September 1996 (OJ L 180, 9.7.1997) 
(COM(96)313). Simplification 
. of procedures, more effective 
control. 
Horizontal State aid Proposal for a Council Council reached political 
Regulation transmitted on agreement on proposal at 
22 July 1997, COM(97) 396, to Industry meeting on 
simplify procedures in this 13 November 1997, subject to 
sector. European Parliament opinion. 
Vertical restrictions Green Paper on vertical 
restrictions COM(96) 721, 
transmitted on 
24 January 1997, envisaging 
simplification of procedures. 
SOCIAL POLICY 
Exposure to chemical agents Amended proposal for a Council common position 
Council Directive transmitted adopted on 7 October 1997. 
on 9 June 1994, COM(94) 230. 
Exposure to carcinogens at Proposed amendment of basic Council Directive 97/42/EG 
work directive (90/394) transmitted (OJ L 179, 8.7.1997). 
on 14 September 1995, 
COM(95) 425. 
Air 
AGRICULTURAL POLICY 
Rice Proposal for Regulation Council Regulation (EC) 
transmitted on No 3072/95 (OJ L 329, 
24 August 1995, COM(95) 31). 30.12.1995). 
Agricultural structures Proposal for Regulations Council Regulations (EC) 
transmitted on 950/97, 951/97 and 952/97 
27 February 1996, (OJ L 142, 2.6.1997). 
COM(96)58). 
Milk intended for human Proposal for Council Regulation European Parliament opinion 
consumption transmitted on 16 July 1997, delivered on 22 October 1997. 
COM(97) 133. 
Butter Simplification proposal in 
preparation. 
Ornamental plants (SLIM) Simplification proposal in 
preparation under SLIM. 
TRANSPORT 
Weight and dimensions of road Proposal for Directive Council Directive 96/53/EC 
vehicles transmitted on (OJ L 235,17.9.1996). 
15 December 1993, 
COM(93) 679, amended by 
proposal COM(95) 193. 
Roadworthiness tests for motor Proposal for Directive Council Directive 96/96/EC 
vehicles transmitted on (OJ L 46, 17.2.1997). 
8 September 1995, 
COM(95) 415. 
ENVIRONMENT 
Air quality Proposal for Directive Council Directive 96/62/EC 
transmitted on 4 July 1994, (OJ L 296,21.11.1996). 
COM(94) 109. 
Drinking water Proposal for Directive Council adopted common 
transmitted on 28 April 1995, position on 16 October 1997. 
COM(94) 612. 
Bathing water Proposal for Directive European Parliament delivered 
transmitted on 29 March 1994, opinion on 12 December 1996. 
COM(94) 36. 
Water (general framework) Proposal for framework 
Directive transmitted on 
15 April 1997, COM(97) 49. 
Noise Proposal for simplification 
Directive under consideration. I 1 : 1 
TELECOMMUNICA TIONS 
Telecommunications equipment Proposal for European 
Parliament and Council 
Directive transmitted on 
4 June 1997, COM(97) 257. 
FISHERIES 
Structural aspects of fisheries Proposals for Regulations Council Regulation (EEC) 
policy transmitted on 8 October 1993, No 2080/93 setting up the FIFG 
COM(93) 481. (financial instrument for 
fisheries guidance). Council 
Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 
laying down criteria and 
arrangements for FIFG 
assistance. 
INTERNAL MARKET 
Free movement of doctors and Proposal for a European European Parliament and 
mutual recognition of their Parliament and Council Council Directive 97/50 
diplomas Directive transmitted on (OJ L 291,24.10.1997). 
19 December 1994, 
COM(94) 626. 
System for recognition of Proposal for Directive in the 
diplomas process of being adopted under 
the SLIM procedure. 
Mechanism for the recognition Proposal for a European European Parliament opinion 
of qualifications for professional Parliament and Council delivered on 20 February 1997 
activities (craft, trade and Directive transmitted on (first reading). 
certain services) 9.2.1996, COM(96) 22. 
Amended proposal transmitted 
on 16 July 1997, COM(97) 363. 
Notification of investment Proposal for Regulation Council Regulation No 736/96 
projects of interest to the transmitted on 1 August 1995, (OJ L 102, 25.4.1996). 
Community in the gas and COM(95) 118. 
electricity sectors 
CUSTOMS 
Combined nomenclature for Proposal for Directive under 
external trade consideration in SLIM 
procedure. 
AI 
TAXPOLICY 
VAT I " I 
- simplifying tax treatment for ^*£| ££*^ 5g Council Directive 95/7/EC 
certain operations "^wm^po. (OJL102,5.5.1995). 
Proposal for a Council Directive 
transmitted on 26 June 1997, 
COM(97) 325. 
- improving the current Proposal for simplification 
transitional arrangements Directive under consideration. 
- VAT obligations Proposal for simplification 
Directive under consideration 
in SLIM procedure. 
CONSUMER POLICY 
Indicating prices for consumers Proposal for European European Parliament and 
(amendments to Directives Parliament and Council Council Directive 95/58/EC 
79/581/EEC and 88/314/EEC) Directive transmitted on (OJL 299,12.12.1995). 
5 December 1994, 
COM(94)431. 
Proposal for a European Council adopted common 
Parliament and Council position on 27 September 1996. 
Directive transmitted on Conciliation with Parliament in 
17 July 1995, COM(95) 276. progress. 
STATISTICS 
Statistics on trade between Proposals for European 
Member States Parliament and Council 
Regulations transmitted on 
4 June 1997 and 
6 February 1997, COM(97) 275 
and COM(97) 252, under the 
SLIM procedure. 
Short-term statistics Proposal for Council Regulation 
transmitted on 24 June 1997, 
COM(97)313. 
AUTONOMOUS SIMPLIFICATION INSTRUMENTS ADOPTED 
BY THE COMMISSION 
SECTOR I COMMISSION INITIATIVE 
COMPETITION 
Technology transfer agreements (exemptions for Commission Regulation (EC) No 240/96 
certain categories of patent and know-how (OJ L 31, 9.2.1996) 
licensing agreements) Simplification of procedures by merging two 
existing regulations. 
Application of Community rules on aid Notice published in OJ C 368,23.12.1994. 
(restructuring and rescuing firms in difficulty) Revision of the rules in 1998. 
Aid to the synthetic fibres industry New framework (OJ C 94, 30.3.1996). 
"De minimis" rule for State aid Commission communication (OJ C 68, 
6.3.1996). Classification and simplification of 
the rules. 
State aids for SMEs New framework (OJ C 213, 23.7.1996). 
AGRICULTURAL POLICY 
Arable crops Commission Regulation (EC) No 658/96 
(OJL 91, 12.4.1996). 
SMALL BUSINESSES 
Business start-ups Commission recommendation of 22 April 1997 
(OJL 145,5.6.1997). 
Participation of European Economic Interest Commission communication transmitted on 
Groupings (EEIG) in public contracts 9 September 1997 (COM (97) 434. 
Transfer of small and medium-sized enterprises Recommendation of 7 December 1994 
(OJL 385, 31.12.1994). 
STATISTICS 
Reporting the value of goods for statistical Commission Regulation (EC) No 860/97 
purposes (OJ L 123, 15.5.1997) under the SLIM. 
procedure. 
"Net mass" (statistics) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2383/96 
(OJ L 326, 17.12.1996) under the SLIM 
procedure. 
1\ 

ANNEX Vf 
PROGRESS ON CONSOLIDATION SINCE THE 1992 EDINBURGH EUROPEAN COUNCIL 
Situation at 20/11/97 
Proposals for formal consolidation 
in preparation (1998 to 2000) Proposals submitted to the European 
Parliament and the Council Instruments of formal consolidation 
adopted by the Council 


ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 626 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 01 06 02 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-675-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-28522-6 
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