A simpler, clearer, and better enforced EU rulebook

On 28th April 2026, the European Commission presented its plan to modernise EU lawmaking, ensuring that laws are clearer, simpler, more efficiently enforced, based on solid evidence and better aligned with the needs of citizens and businesses.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: "Europe needs clear and coherent legislation that fully responds to the needs of our citizens and businesses. Today, we deliver our plan to make EU lawmaking more efficient, more effective, and more transparent. We will apply simplicity by design and continue to ensure every rule is supported by strong evidence. ... This is a critical contribution to bolster our competitiveness."

The Commission will act in five areas:

• Simplicity by design
• Strengthening the better regulation framework
• Regulatory deep cleaning
• Faster and robust enforcement

At a time of profound global shifts, an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for European competitiveness. Simpler, better-designed, and easier-to-implement rules will therefore help to unlock economic potential and promote a more dynamic and integrated Single Market.

The European Parliament and the Council are essential partners in helping to make the objectives outlined in this Communication a reality. To that end, the Commission calls on the co-legislators to ensure that 'simplicity by design' and better regulation principles are applied consistently, by each Institution, during every legislative process.

Find more information on the Commission's Press Corner: https://link.europa.eu/hbkMpB