Issue 411 | 4 May 2015

Better regulation, eHealth, copyright reform and TTIP.
 

Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans kicks off our cover story feature on the EU’s regulatory fitness and performance (Refit) programme. The Dutch official, and president Jean-Claude Juncker's right hand man, says, "Better regulation does not aim to deregulate; rather it means making sure we deliver on all our policy objectives, and do so in the most efficient way possible."
Also writing is parliament's rapporteur on the Refit state of play and outlook Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, who points to the fact that "According to the commission, EU countries are responsible for one third of administrative burdens, due to inefficient implementation of EU laws." For the S&D deputy, a reduction in Europe’s bureaucratic burden would also help tackle "Brussels bashing".