Tracking European Union decisions just got easier. A new online register was launched on December 12 to help the public follow the EU decision-making process.
According to a European Commission press release, the new Interinstitutional Register of Delegated Acts is being launched by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission, so that anyone can easily search and find delegated acts linked to a certain topic or piece of legislation.
“We are delivering again on the Commission’s Better Regulation Agenda and on our joint commitment with Parliament and Council to better law-making for Europe’s citizens,” said European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans. “By launching this new online register, we are making the EU more transparent and opening up the windows on the process for adopting technical rules to implement our policies.”
According to the president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, the register will enable citizens to follow the decision-making process on delegated acts, which often seem technical, but can be politically sensitive as well.
“It is an answer to the Parliament’s long-standing demand to bring EU decision-making closer to citizens and thus make the EU institutions and EU law more transparent,” he said.
In turn, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Matti Maasikas, on behalf of the Estonian Presidency of the Council said the EU decision-making process must become more accessible for citizens.
“I am glad that the new register will make it easier for everyone to follow how delegated acts are adopted. This is in line with our aim to bring more transparency into the work of the EU institutions,” said Maasikas.
The new register will allow users to search and follow the development of delegated acts from the planning stage conducted by the European Commission, up until the final publication in the Official Journal. Its aim is to increase transparency of the decision-making process and to offer a one-stop-shop for delegated acts where all relevant information can be easily found.
Delegated acts are used to supplement or amend EU laws. They are most common in the areas of economy, agriculture, environment and public health, the single market and trade. A form of secondary legislation, the European Parliament and Council are able to reject draft delegated acts.
