The European Commission has announced that in 2027 it will present a legislative proposal to reduce the administrative obstacles affecting the construction and renovation of housing. The initiative aims to make building work easier, lower its costs and increase the supply of homes. It is part of a work programme that also includes measures to ease energy prices and the withdrawal of 18 initiatives still awaiting approval.<\/p>\n
With this regulatory simplification package, scheduled for the second quarter of next year, the EU executive wants to help tackle a crisis that, it warns, worries many Europeans. The proposal forms part of the European Affordable Housing Plan, although Brussels has not yet specified which provisions it intends to change.<\/p>\n
During the presentation of the work programme, the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis, defended the goal of reducing bureaucracy and complexity for citizens and giving businesses more room to invest, innovate and grow. He also stressed that simplification will reach sectors such as banking and transport, and will include measures to speed up permits for projects considered strategic.<\/p>\n
On the energy front, Brussels is preparing new action against high electricity and fuel prices. This includes a legislative package to simplify the sector’s rules from 2030, as well as the possible creation of a mechanism to encourage the installation of heat pumps. The aim is to lower households’ upfront costs and their exposure to rising fossil fuel prices.<\/p>\n
The EU executive is also considering short-term measures to improve the functioning of European refineries and a proposal to postpone certain obligations under the methane emissions regulation. Both come against a backdrop of supply difficulties and rising energy costs.<\/p>\n
The programme also includes a review of the European directives protecting birds and natural habitats, including legislation related to the Natura 2000 network. Scheduled for the third quarter of 2027, it will determine whether changes are needed to improve how they work.<\/p>\n
These initiatives are joined by a European plan against heatwaves, new action to improve water management and a review of CO2 emission limits for heavy vehicles. On the social side, Brussels is preparing a European care agreement and a “right to stay” strategy, intended to make it easier for citizens to build their future in their home regions.<\/p>\n
In addition to the new measures, the Commission proposes withdrawing 18 legislative proposals that are still pending approval. The reasons include the lack of progress in some negotiations, the unnecessary costs that certain initiatives could generate, or the fact that, in the EU executive’s view, some no longer reflect the Union’s main priorities.<\/p>\n
Among the texts affected is the so-called “Green Claims” directive, designed to combat misleading environmental advertising. The proposal set common requirements for companies to substantiate the sustainability claims used to market their products.<\/p>\n
Also on the list is the reform of the taxation of energy products and electricity, blocked by a lack of unanimity among the 27 member states. Added to this are the proposals to set common rules on corporate taxation and to combat late payments between companies.<\/p>\n
Before deciding on the final withdrawal of these texts, the Commission will examine the positions of the European Parliament and the Council. Its work programme also plans to repeal a further 14 existing rules that it considers no longer fit for purpose.<\/p>\n