EU's Rushed Policy-Making Criticized: Industry Calls for Accountability
The EU faces criticism for its rushed policy-making, with industry calling for more accountability. Last-minute changes and inadequate impact assessments have led to questionable laws, including the Platform Work Directive. Experts urge better planning to create a coherent legislative framework.
In recent years, EU institutions have been accused of making radical changes to legal texts at the eleventh hour, often without proper impact assessments. This hasty approach has raised concerns about the effectiveness and coherence of the resulting legislation.
The Platform Work Directive (PWD) serves as a prominent example. Key provisions were removed during last-minute negotiations, leading to a watered-down version of the original proposal. This follows a pattern seen in other digital policy files, where the EU has rushed negotiations, harming its credibility and creating uncertainty.
Industry has expressed frustration with this approach, calling for more responsibility and accountability from EU institutions in their policy-making process. They argue that better law-making is needed to create an effective and coherent legislative framework, rather than relying on last-minute politics or self-serving selfie moments.
In February 2024, the mediation of the Platform-Arbeits-Gesetz was taken over by the coalition parties SPD, Greens, and FDP. During this process, the law was amended to strengthen transparency and predictability of employment conditions. Changes included updates to the Nachweisgesetz (Proof of Employment Act) and introducing penalties for missing formal contract requirements up to €2,000. However, this progress has not been consistently replicated in other policy areas.
The EU's desire to be 'the first' to regulate AI, for instance, has led to poorly discussed new rules and concepts. Rushed deal-making can also result in unintended consequences, as seen with the Digital Services Act contradicting other EU laws. Half-baked 'solutions', such as the Data Act, have created new problems and raised more questions than they answer.
The EU must address its rushed policy-making approach to maintain credibility and create effective legislation. Stakeholders urge better planning, thorough impact assessments, and consistent application of standards across all policy areas. This will help ensure that EU laws are coherent, effective, and serve the best interests of its citizens.
Read also:
- Executive from significant German automobile corporation advocates for a truthful assessment of transition toward electric vehicles
- Crisis in a neighboring nation: immediate cheese withdrawal at Rewe & Co, resulting in two fatalities.
- Financial Aid Initiatives for Ukraine Through ERA Loans
- Diagnosing Male Fertility Issues: A Guide to Understanding Male Fertility Evaluations
