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Impact Assessment

The Better Regulation Action Plan recognised the importance of impact assessment in producing proportionate, evidence-based policy proposals. The European Commission is progressively introducing a system of impact assessment so that the likely economic, social and environmental impacts of policies are considered when proposals are being prepared. It is a two-phase system in which all proposals are subject to a preliminary assessment and significant proposals are selected for extended impact assessment.

The Commission has been working hard to put the necessary structures in place and to integrate assessment into its planning cycle. Guidance has been produced for officials. 2003 was a pilot year for the new system, during which the Commission’s services produced about 20 extended impact assessments. The quality of these has been variable, as one would expect in the early stages. The Commission has acknowledged this and is committed to improving the quality and rigour of its assessments.

In its Work Programme for 2004, the Commission has identified 41 proposals, which will be subject to extended impact assessment.

Relevant Links

Commission Communication on impact assessment
Commission’s guidelines on impact assessment
Commission’s Work Programme 2003 (list of Extended Impact Assessments to be undertaken in Annex 2)
Commission’s Work Programme 2004 (list of Extended Impact Assessments to be undertaken in Annex 2)
The Better Law Making Report 2003
Commission Communication Action Plan for simplifying and improving the regulatory environment