1. Slide: 1 Impact Assessment in the Commission – an overview Stakeholder meeting Brussels, 28 June 2007

2. Slide: 2 Impact Assessment 5 years of Commission impact assessment Impact Assessment one of the defining elements in the Commission’s Better Regulation policy to deliver on: oLisbon strategy oEuropean Governance oSustainable Development Introduced in 2003 with transition period in 2003-2004 2003-2006: 195 Commission impact assessments – in 2007 planned more than 100 IA Guidelines (first version 2003, updated 2005/2006 and continuously improved –for example administrative cost EU Standard Cost Model)

3. Slide: 3 Impact Assessment Key features Integrated approach; three pillars (economic, social, environmental), replacing previous partial assessments (Business Impact Assessment, environmental impact assessments etc) IA Guidelines: guidance and recommendations rather than mandatory requirements Capacity building, support tools and expertise Proportionate analysis Scope of application: annual procedure linked with adoption of work programme Integration into policy shaping and development: Inter-service steering groups, inter-service consultation, political adoption

4. Slide: 4 Impact Assessment Achievements, evolution & challenges IA Guidelines: extensive guidance, recognised international reference Some good IAs (Clean Air Thematic Strategy) but uneven implementation, both in terms of scope and quality. External evaluation and creation of the Impact Assessment Board Need to cover the entire regulatory cycle: Common approach across institutions: 2003 Inter-institutional Agreement Better Lawmaking" and 2005 "Common Approach to impact Assessment“ Ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, interest groups and scientific community on system design and application