Better Regulation for whom?
If the European Commission’s new “Better Regulation” drive announced on 19th May sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. It’s designed to placate eurosceptics (especially in the UK and the Netherlands), but as the reality unfolds it will erode public support for the EU even further. Because for health, consumers, workers and the environment, it looks worse, not better. And these are the things that the EU does best – its track record in setting effective standards for the internal market has had dramatic positive effects on health. Policy-making to protect health is about to get a lot harder. We’re already seeing that health policy-making is grinding to a halt.
For example, Commissioner Andriukaitis announced on 18th May that the Commission is going to totally ignore the European Parliament and Health Ministers’ calls for a new Alcohol Strategy including common-sense labeling. We understand that this is an edict from the top of the Commission. Instead the Commission will merely press on with a voluntary approach via the Alcohol Forum which has proved worse than useless. Of course the alcohol lobby is overjoyed – they get free EU PR endorsement for their marketing and CSR actions – and even get to promote their message of “responsible” drinking in primary schools. Teaching kids from an early age to get into a drinking culture. This is nothing short of a scandal. Endorsed by the Commission.
In addition, it’s a missed opportunity to improve the EU’s processes to assess the impacts of policy proposals. When looking at the health impacts, the process is sadly lacking. The Commission is much more concerned about any costs for industry than it is about impacts or benefits for our health. What’s “better” about that?
The Better Regulation agenda is a hugely significant power grab from the Commission vs the democratically elected EU institutions. In particular, the Regulatory Scrutiny Board that is proposed should have “independent members” – it is almost impossible to imagine who could join the board without their own political agenda or without representing certain interests, and yet they would get a power of veto – or at the very least delay – over EU proposals. “Consulting more”, as the Commission promises, will in reality skew the process even further in favour of health-harmful industries, unless there are strong safeguards to ensure balance for civil society and citizens.
This is why EPHA is part of the Better Regulation Watchdog as a founder member and will follow developments closely together with trade unions, environmental groups and consumer organisations. “Better” must mean better for everyone, not just the political elite and industries looking for an easier ride.
EPHA Secretary-General
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LATEST NEWS
☐ EPHA warns that health priorities must not be forgotten in the new, streamlined Semester process
☐ EPHA welcomes the WHO resolution on health impacts of air pollution
☐ WHA adopts resolutions on AMR and immunization
☐ Correcting health workforce imbalances: what coordinating role for the EU?
☐ FRESHER: foresight and modelling for European health policy and regulation
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OTHER ARTICLES published on our website in recent weeks
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EVENTS
☐ EPHA 6th Annual Conference, 2-3 September, Brussels
☐ TTIP – Increased Trade for Better Living? (15-16 June 2015)
☐ Universal health: Investing in Health and Wellbeing for All (June 29-30th, Riga, Latvia)
