EPICENTER

EPICENTER’s EU Regulatory Quality Index (EU-RQI) 2022–2024 reveals serious shortcomings in Brussels legislation, awarding an overall score of only 66.9/100. The report points to excessively complex wording, impact assessments that routinely skip economic analysis, and slow transposition – with fewer than half of directives implemented on time. Bulgaria lags furthest behind with 16 overdue directives (twice the EU average), average 16-month delays and 31 open infringement procedures, underscoring how poor regulatory quality damages competitiveness and piles extra administrative costs on member states.

EPICENTER’s new EU Regulatory Quality Index (EU-RQI) for 2022–2024 gives EU legislative quality a mediocre 66.9/100. The study criticises overly complex language, sentences twice longer than recommended, inconsistent impact assessments that often ignore economic effects, and poor transposition rates (less than half of directives on time). Bulgaria performs worst, with 16 overdue directives (EU average: 8), 16-month delays and 31 pending infringement cases, highlighting how regulatory complexity hits competitiveness and raises administrative costs across the Union.

New UK regulations banning pre-9pm TV and paid online ads for foods high in fat, salt or sugar are forcing major retailers to pull traditional Christmas favourites like mince pies and chocolates from festive promotions. As supermarkets including Lidl, Tesco and M&S scramble to adapt, the Institute of Economic Affairs’ Christopher Snowdon questions the policy’s effectiveness in tackling childhood obesity and warns that smaller brands without strong recognition will suffer the most from the restrictions.

The European Commission’s proposed Tobacco Excise Directive revision is criticised by CNA as a revenue-grab disguised as public health policy. Citing EPICENTER research, the article warns that every €1 increase in tobacco taxation expands the black market by 5–12%. With Greece having recently made progress against smuggling, the sharp tax rises on cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-liquids risk shocking consumers, eroding state revenues and strengthening criminal networks instead of improving health.

Iefimerida warns that the European Commission’s proposed Tobacco Excise Directive revision, pitched as a public-health measure, is primarily driven by the EU’s need for new own-resources revenue. Citing EPICENTER research showing every €1 tax increase grows the black market by 5–12%, the article highlights the danger of steep hikes on cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-liquids just as Greece achieves its lowest smuggling rates in a decade—while the rest of Europe faces record illicit trade.

Varna24.bg covers the EU Regulatory Observatory’s latest analysis, scoring the Commission’s €130 billion Affordable Energy Action Plan a low 5.15/10. The study criticises the attempt to deliver lower prices while enforcing rapid green policies and relying on technologies that aren’t ready, concluding that price controls and centralised management will distort markets and ultimately raise costs for consumers.