EPICENTER in the Media

November 25, 2025

REFRESHNEWS.GR: KEFIM STUDY EXPOSES GREECE’S BLOATED AND OPAQUE LAW-MAKING

KEFiM's new research on 190 Greek laws (2022–2024) shows the average law is twice as long as EU directives and stuffed with unrelated provisions. Consultations last just 16 days and only 10% of impact assessments include numbers. The findings parallel EPICENTER's EU Regulatory Quality Index (EU-RQI), which scored EU directives at 66.9/100 and identified similar transparency and implementation deficits across the Union.
November 20, 2025

BRUSSELSREPORT.EU: EU DIRECTIVES ARE UNREADABLE PUZZLES THAT ERODE TRUST AND COMPETITIVENESS

KEFiM's Constantinos Saravakos, co-author of EPICENTER's EU Regulatory Quality Index (EU-RQI), argues that EU directives average 39 words per sentence—nearly twice the recommended limit for clear writing. Only 6.6% of directives included roadmaps and less than half had inception impact assessments, despite these being best practices. With just 44% of directives transposed on time, the report demonstrates how legal complexity creates compliance failures and opportunity costs. Saravakos calls for stricter drafting rules, mandatory simplification in impact assessments, and evidence-based policymaking, urging the EU to "write less, write clearer, and write with evidence."
November 20, 2025

INVESTOR.BG: EU LAW QUALITY SCORES JUST 66.9/100 IN NEW EPICENTER INDEX

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.
November 20, 2025

BTA: EPICENTER’S EU REGULATORY QUALITY INDEX SCORES BRUSSELS LEGISLATION ONLY 66.9/100

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.
October 24, 2025

UCO DIGITAL: UK HFSS AD BAN DISRUPTS CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGNS AND HURTS SMALLER BRANDS

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.
October 14, 2025

CNA: EU TOBACCO TAX HIKE WILL FUEL BLACK MARKET AND ORGANISED CRIME

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.
October 13, 2025

IEFIMERIDA: EU TOBACCO TAX HIKE RISKS REVERSING GREECE’S ANTI-SMUGGLING SUCCESS

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.
October 11, 2025

VARNA24.BG: NEW REPORT SLAMS COMMISSION’S ENERGY PLAN FOR TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE

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.
October 11, 2025

BLAGOEVGRAD24.BG: COMMISSION’S €130BN ENERGY SAVINGS CLAIM UNDERMINED BY INTERNAL CONTRADICTIONS

The EU Regulatory Observatory’s “Unlocking the True Value of Our Energy Union” gives the European Commission’s Affordable Energy Action Plan only 5.15/10. While tax reductions are praised, Blagoevgrad24.bg highlights the report’s warning that chasing cheaper energy alongside forced decarbonisation and heavy administrative intervention creates irreconcilable goals that threaten both affordability and reliable supply.