Thirteen EU states propose moratorium on new regulations

Thirteen European Union member states, including the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Poland, have signed a non-paper proposing a one-year moratorium on new EU regulations. The initiative seeks a “thorough legislative cleanup” to reduce bureaucracy and assess whether existing rules remain necessary or provide value without imposing undue burdens on businesses and citizens.

The proposal advocates for a “European Year of Consolidation,” during which the EU would focus on implementing and simplifying current legislation rather than introducing new measures. The participating nations aim to ensure that new laws are predictable, evidence-based, and support the competitiveness of the single market.

In the Czech Republic, the proposal has received support from both government and opposition politicians, as well as the Czech Chamber of Commerce. The Czech government is currently preparing an anti-bureaucracy law to align with these efforts to curb excessive regulation.