Impact assessments examine whether there is a need for EU action and analyse the possible impacts of available solutions. These are carried out during the preparation phase, before the Commission finalises a proposal for a new law. They provide evide
Impact assessments are carried out on initiatives expected to have significant economic, social or environmental impacts. These can be:
The findings of the impact assessment process are summarised in an impact assessment report. The quality of each report is checked by an independent body, the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, which issues opinions.
The impact assessment report must include a description of:
Impact assessment reports are published with the proposals or with acts adopted by the Commission. They are also sent to the EU lawmakers, the Parliament and Council, to consider as they decide on whether to adopt the proposed law.
Impact assessments form a key part of the Commission's better regulation agenda, which seeks to design and evaluate EU policies and laws so that they achieve their objectives in the most efficient and effective way.
The better regulation guidelines contain guidance for the Commission on how to conduct impact assessments. These are accompanied by a toolbox which provides complementary advice.
The Commission's initial analysis of the problem, policy objectives and different solutions as well as their likely impacts is set out in inception impact assessments on which stakeholders can give feedback.
It is followed up by an impact assessment when stakeholders are consulted on all key aspects through open public consultations.
Once the legislative proposal, accompanied by its impact assessment report, is finalised and made public by the Commission, citizens and stakeholders have another chance to submit their feedback on the proposal, when it goes to the EU legislators.
The new interinstitutional agreement on better law-making agreed in April 2016 acknowledges the positive contribution of impact assessments to improving the quality of EU legislation.
According to the agreement, the EU Parliament and the Council take full account of the Commission's impact assessments when deciding on legislative proposals. The co-legislators can also carry out impact assessments in relation to substantial amendments during the legislative process.
The correct application of the principles of subsidiarity (no EU intervention when an issue can be dealt with effectively by EU countries) and proportionality (EU action does not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives) when developing policies is assessed in impact assessments.