The European Union has promised to simplify laws and cut paperwork for businesses. One way it is trying to do this is through special legislative “omnibus” packages — bundles of  measures designed to streamline rules all at once. The EU says this will reduce red tape for  businesses and citizens, boost innovation and competitiveness, and improve how EU  policies work. 

 

But here’s the catch: while simplification sounds great, it can come at a dramatic cost. Simplification can be used as a disguise to dilute or dismantle  key parts of a law, weakening  important protections for the environment, public health, and social rights. For businesses  too, frequent, hasty, or unclear changes can create uncertainty, making long-term planning harder.  

 

Concerns are mounting. More and more stakeholders and policy-makers warn that the process often lacks public consultation, transparency, proper and agreed procedures, and  solid scientific evidence. Beyond the serious environmental impacts, there’s another big  worry: that this approach undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in democratic decision-making. 

 

Amid political spin and mixed messaging, myths about what “simplifying” EU legislation  really means persist. This FAQ tackles the most common questions — and separates fact from fiction.