European regions ponder smart regulation

With all eyes on the new Belgian government constituted after a record inter-regnum, how could we not signal that Flanders has just uploaded proceeds of the conference announced on this blog, which invited officials from regions of European countries to reflect on "How do Flanders and the other European regions cope with the competency for smart regulation in a multilevel environment?" Representatives from Wales, Lombardy, Scotland and Flanders presented their regional policy of smart regulation and discussed with OECD, EC and the Committee of Regions how they could interact with the smart regulation central strategy. The other Belgian region (Walonia) seems not to have been present. A pity neither German lander, nor Spanish communities (for a study of their regulatory work see a previous post), attended. (For more information see also post on Commitee of Regions multi-level governance and better regulation.)

COR work on multilevel governance and BR

Following a recent post on this blog, a Committee of Regions friend of the network points out for us some interesting documents from that advisory body.

The CoR regularly publishes opinions on the EU better regulation agenda, the most recent dealing with the Commission 2nd and 3rd strategic reviews of BR.

Earlier opinions address the regular Better Lawmaking reports from the Commission (drawn up in conformity with the protocol on subsidiarity and proportionality), and related communications:

• Better lawmaking 2005-2006
• Better lawmaking 2004
• Better lawmaking 2002

The White Paper on multilevel governance offers an impressive background study and a number of recommendations on integrating the multilevel dimention into policy making at the European level: including "territorial action plans" to accompany stratregic reforms, territorial impact analysis, and the development of participatory governance indicators and territorial indicators, in conjunction with regional and local authorities. The CoR envisages to contribute to the use of "instruments" of Better regulation such as impact assesmment .