Simplification must not jeopardise environmental protection or shift burden to cities and regions

Regions and cities are critical of the European Commission’s ‘omnibus’ approach proposing to re-open recently revised directives, and urge the EU to stay on course for zero-pollution ambition.

Regions and cities have emphasised that the European Commission’s intention to simplify environmental legislation and reduce administrative burdens for businesses should not shift administrative, financial or enforcement responsibilities to local and regional authorities without adequate support measures.

In an opinion adopted at its plenary session on 7 May, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) also expressed concern that some of the changes proposed in the so-called Environmental Omnibus package risk lowering environmental standards. They underlined that the EU must remain committed to its zero-pollution ambition.

In its opinion – drafted by Nadia Pellefigue (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Region of Occitanie – the CoR welcomed the aim to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of EU industry while stressing that simplification efforts must not hinder the achievement of the EU’s environmental objectives, or lead to additional burdens or costs to local and regional authorities. Any new responsibilities, such as the introduction of single points of contact, should be matched with sufficient financial, technical and administrative support, especially for smaller municipalities that face capacity and resource constraints.

The CoR stresses that the EU must maintain high standards in areas such as chemicals policy, pollution control, biodiversity protection, waste management and industrial emissions. It underlines that any simplification measure must fully respect the 'do no significant harm' principle and comply with the precautionary, preventive-action, rectification-at-source and polluter-pays principles.

Regions and cities are also critical of the European Commission’s omnibus approach, which bundles together many legislative changes with – in their view – limited coherence, without dedicated impact assessments and with very limited consultation processes. Pointing out that legal certainty and environmental credibility are preconditions for competitiveness, the CoR warns against prematurely re-opening recently revised directives without time to assess their effects.

The opinion expresses concern regarding the proposals' compliances with the principle of proportionality, notably where simplification measures risk shifting administrative, financial or enforcement burdens to local and regional authorities.

While the CoR supports efforts to set up faster, more predictable and coordinated permitting procedures, it emphasises that speed must not undermine quality and that uniform EU deadlines for screening and environmental assessments do not adequately reflect the diversity of territorial capacities and administrative structures. Instead, it should be up to the Member States to set up realistic and predictable yet flexible national procedures and time limits that are adapted to local conditions. Furthermore, the CoR opposes any proposed restrictions on the access to justice and considers that revisions concerning protected species should not be introduced through this kind of omnibus procedure.

The CoR also warns against the announcement to repeal or suspend the SCIP database or associated hazardous substance information obligations, until a fully functional and interoperable digital product passport system providing at least the same level of traceability, accessibility and enforcement capacity is operational across the EU.

Quote:

Rapporteur Nadia Pellefigue (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Region of Occitanie: "Simplification is necessary, but it cannot come at the expense of environmental protection or legal certainty. If it shifts costs and responsibilities onto cities and regions, it is not simplification. We need well-prepared, evidence-based legislation that supports those implementing EU rules and strengthens Europe’s environmental credibility and competitiveness.”

More information:

• Photosand videos from the plenary session.
• Follow the Press service account on X.
• The European Commission presented the so-called Environmental Omnibus package in December 2025 with the aim to reduce the administrative burden for businesses by simplifying environmental legislation in the areas of industrial emissions, circular economy, environmental assessments and geospatial data. The Commission wants to accelerate and streamline permitting processes for all projects, in particular in strategic sectors, such as strategic digital projects, critical raw materials projects and affordable housing. The package, composed of six legislative proposals, is part of a broader effort aligned with the EU's Competitiveness Compass.

Contact:

Lauri Ouvinen
Tel. +32 473536887
lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu