The Vice President of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, has taken a strong stance on the European Commission’s ”omnibus package” of measures to reduce the burden of reporting rules, including environmental ones, stressing the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through simplified rules and easier access to finance, while avoiding instability or additional costs for companies.

”Simplifying the rules is necessary. I repeated this in the Plenary several times when the Commission kept introducing new rules. But we must not create new inequalities or punish entrepreneurs who have already complied with European standards,” said Victor Negrescu.

The European Commission recently unveiled the Omnibus package, which aims to cut red tape and simplify EU rules for citizens and businesses, based on the recommendations of the Draghi report on competitiveness. The aim is to boost economic growth and competitiveness through a more business-friendly environment, ensuring that businesses can flourish în good conditions.

The Omnibus package aims to:

• reduce sustainability reporting obligations for SMEs while maintaining requirements for large companies
• simplify due diligence to promote responsible business practices
• strengthen the carbon border adjustment mechanism for a fairer trade  
• mobilize opportunities from European investment programmes

The proposals will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council for consideration and adoption. The Commission wants to reduce administrative burdens by 25% (35% for SMEs) by 2029.

In this context, Negrescu warned that the changes introduced by the Omnibus package need to be implemented in a gradual and balanced manner in order to avoid negative effects on the European economy.

”We see useful measures in the Omnibus proposal, such as cutting red tape for SMEs, or making public procurement easier for European companies. But we also see major risks. If we suddenly eliminate reporting for many companies, what do we do with the businesses that have invested in these standards? If we change the rules from one year to the next, what guarantee does Europe offer investors? Who was wrong? The Commission of the previous mandate or the Commission of the current mandate? Who bears the costs?” underlined the MEP.

What Victor Negrescu supports in the Omnibus package:

• simplifying procedures for SMEs
• facilitating access to public procurement for European companies
• reducing red tape and reporting requirements for SMEs
• genuine support for entrepreneurs to boost investment and economic development

What to avoid:

• punishing companies that already comply with existing rules
• frequently changing regulations, creating instability for investors
• imposing additional costs without clear solutions for compensation
• creating new inequalities between companies through inconsistent application of regulations

In conclusion, the Vice President of the European Parliament insists that Europe must provide predictability and stability for investors and entrepreneurs. ”We need to preserve social values and at the same time we need to help businesses grow. At the same time, we must not take a step backwards in terms of responsibility,” added Victor Negrescu.