RR update from the US president

Our friend Emmanouil Schizas has pointed out for us an important new presidential order dated today on our subject: "improving regulation and regulatory review." It is fairly brief, but updates quite a number of concepts that we BR experts use frequently, and is quite noteworthy. I will study it as soon as I get back from a RR mission in the MENA region.
Alberto Alemanno has posted an analysis of this important development on his website. The forthcoming issue of the EJRR will host a symposium with contributions from the US ( by Cass Sunstein) and the EC.

Must see: two anti-red tape videos on You Tube

In a new but effective format of appeal in our familiar subject, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses has posted two short videos on You Tube, with practical examples, in both English and French (nice Quebec accent). Congratulations for this mobilising message to all bureacrats !

Single Market: time to act ! conference

BR experts should be interested in this conference, which will take place in Brussels on 8 February.

There is a full dossier (COM(2010)608, press release, background material) online, to get an overview of how the old Common Market (1956) is being "relaunched," following the Monti report and other updates.

Also worth reading are the conclusions of the Competitiveness Council (10 Dec 2010) on the same page. There are several references to better and smart regulation (especially paragraph 17): RIAs, admin burden reduction are also relaunched, with ex-post evaluation and fitness checks naturally included. There are many reasons why the internal market needs rejuvenating: still too much fragmentation, emergence of the digital economy, challenges of globalisation. The aim is to build a competitive social market economy. Citizens and consumers to be placed at the heart of the single market.

According to  the invitation, the conference "will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas with MEPs, the EU Presidency, governments, regional and local authorities, stakeholders, the academic community, think tanks and media active on European issues. The conclusions of this event will enrich and complement the debate, allowing the Commission to take account of different views when proposing the definitive action plan for the relaunch of the Single Market in spring 2011."

Spanish governement slashes red tape again

On 28 December, the Spanish Government announced a package of  88 burden reduction measures forecast to save the economy some 2 billion euros a year, with 70% of the savings going to private companies. This is the fourth such attack on red tape in three years, since the adoption in 2008 of the Action Plan to reduce administrtive costs, and the ambitious redution target of 30% by 2012, the highest in Europe. Details in the press release.

To start the new year with a smile

Your blog moderator wishes all smart regulators a very happy and productive new year.

And to put a rare light touch to these posts, I forward a nice little story found as a contribution on our linkedIn discussion group "smart regulation". Strangely, I have often had exactly the same urge to react as the (imaginary) 98 year old English bank customer featured in this modern urban legend... You may need to register as a member before you can view it.

Also please note my new details: CH Montin, ministry of finance of France. charles-henri.montin@finances.gouv.fr  and  new mobile: +33 6 02 36 54 58

Complexity down, in France

Last week, the French agency in charge of cutting red tape in France (DG Modernisation, in the ministry of finance) reported on progress made since 2008. The study examines how simplification measures taken since 1998 have been perceived by the target audiences, on the basis of a sample of 10 procedures related to most current "life-events."

Results show that complexity as perceived by the public is down for 6 out of the 10 procedures. For instance, following a simplification of planning permission for new buildings, the complexity index is down 13 points, which means fewer citizens reported the procedures as "complex". Similar effects were achieved for other procedures such as renewing ID cards, looking for a job, going on pension. The DG's website also describes the distinctive methodology, which relies on professionally conducted opinion polls to direct the simplification efforts, and measure their effects. Experts interested can find additional details concerning the organisation of stakeholder panels, the online consultation ("Ensemble Simplifions,") and how the project involves local authorities.
In addition to the work on the procedures themselves, the DG has also been managing an ambitious (and successful) programme to use plain language in dealing with users, an initiative conducted in connection with partner agencies in other francophone countries (i. a. Quebec, Belgium).