Consulting on European Legislative Measures
Whilst the Cabinet Office recognises that working within the constraints of a European timetable may put pressure on your consultation planning, consulting for the full 12 week period remains the most comprehensive and effective way of seeking stakeholders' views on the domestic implementation of EU legislation.
Maintaining a good relationship with a key group of stakeholders is vital when consulting on EU proposals:
- Keep your key stakeholders informed about new EU proposals and potential developments as soon as you hear about them
- Plan informal and written consultation exercises as early as possible
- Where necessary, be prepared to carry out informal consultation exercises at the same time as your 12 week written consultation exercise is continuing
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been working to develop more effective ways to engage and consult with stakeholders on EU legislative measures. DTI ensure that early warning of EU proposals is given to stakeholders as soon as possible so that they can consult on the written consultation document for the full 12 weeks, even when schedules are tight.
Some of the measures taken by DTI include:
- Giving early warning of new draft proposals as soon as they are published
- Publishing Initial RIA analyses as a form of pre-consultation 'warm-up'
- Consulting on various proposals within the same umbrella document instead of carrying of carrying out separate consultation exercises. This gives a coherent view of related policy issues, providing continuity and enabling forward planning.
- Consulting on the basis of outline principles in advance of the formal publication of the proposal to ensure that negotiating lines benefit from stakeholder input from the outset.