WRITTEN QUESTION No. 337/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Business impact assessment
Date: 1998-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: EU publication, OECD, economic analysis, impact study, legislation, report, small and medium-sized enterprises

2. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 304/79

(98/C 304/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0335/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Business impact assessment

On 24 April 1997, the European Parliament passed a report on strengthening the business impact assessment
system  (A4-0413/96).  During  the  April  II  part-session  (1997),  Commissioner  Papoutsis  commented:  (cid:145)I  agree
with the general idea of the report and with the European Parliament(cid:146)s resolution ... I would like to assure you of
my determination to support a strengthening of the business impact assessment system (cid:146) (PE 222.596).

Point One of the report called on the Commission (cid:145)to examine how it could develop an appropriate and rational
approach for impact assessments ... and to submit an appropriate report for consideration by the Council and the
European Parliament(cid:146).

What steps has the Commission taken in this direction; will a formal report be produced and, if so, when does the
Commission envisage that it will be published?

(98/C 304/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0336/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Business impact assessment

On 24 April 1997, the European Parliament passed a report on strengthening the business impact assessment
system  (A4-0413/96).  During  the  April  II  part-session  (1997),  Commissioner  Papoutsis  commented:  (cid:145)I  agree
with the general idea of the report and with the European Parliament(cid:146)s resolution ... I would like to assure you of
my determination to support a strengthening of the business impact assessment system.(cid:146) (PE 222.596).

Point  Three  called  on  the  Commission  to  (cid:145)give  the  impact  system  an  official  and  legal  standing  within  the
framework of Community legislation(cid:146).

Is  the  Commission(cid:146)s  on-going  review  of  its  business  impact  assessment  procedures  orientated  towards  this
eventual goal, and what timescales are envisaged?

(98/C 304/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0337/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Business impact assessment

On 24 April 1997, the European Parliament passed a report on strengthening the business impact assessment
system  (A4-0413/96).  During  the  April  II  part-session  (1997),  Commissioner  Papoutsis  commented:  (cid:145)I  agree
with the general idea of the report and with the European Parliament(cid:146)s resolution ... I would like to assure you of
my determination to support a strengthening of the business impact assessment system.(cid:146) (PE 222.596).

Point  Five  proposed  that  (cid:145)the  impact  assessment  should  appear  at  the  end  of  every  Community  legislative
proposal expected to have a significant impact on business(cid:146), and that this should be published in the Official
Journal.

Has the Commission given further consideration to this specific point; what is the Commission(cid:146)s position on it;
what is the reasoning behind this position; and will this be referred to in a Commission report on this matter?