The Flemish Entrepreneurs, a group composed of organisations and the Flemish business organisation Voka, have launched an initiative which calls for a reduction in administrative burdens for entrepreneurs.
The group has already identified 25 "redundant laws and regulations," which they will present to the Flemish government on Friday, as part of 'Wetwatchers' (translates to 'law watchers') initiative.
Entrepreneurs frequently complain about excessive administrative burdens and regulations in Flanders. The initiative aims to identify and lessen regulatory pressure.
"The reduction of regulatory pressure gives businesses much-needed breathing space. However, we still see the opposite happening: a record number of new rules are introduced each year. This regulatory frenzy hinders productivity growth and affects business competitiveness," say the Flemish Entrepreneurs.
The list of 25 laws and regulations that the entrepreneurs want to remove or adjust include calls to stop subsidies for environmental organisations that "legally challenge" policy. Businesses are frustrated that some organisations receive Flemish subsidies while contesting Flemish policy and "even environmental permits for strategic projects."
They also argue for annual vehicle inspections for buses and coaches instead of quarterly ones, as in other European countries. Moreover, they consider the required QR code on energy bills to be overly complex and of "little value" to consumers.
Entrepreneurs will monitor the progress of administrative burdens via the website. Any business can also report new regulations not already listed.
In addition to Wetwatchers.be, entrepreneurs have drafted a 'Charter for Less and Simple Regulations'. The charter outlines principles for government regulation, emphasising competitiveness and productivity as guiding points.
The government is urged to not create regulations that are stricter than European standards, and to focus on objectives rather than methods.
The Flemish Entrepreneurs will present their action plan to the Flemish Government following today’s cabinet meeting.
The government has recently been working on this issue. A statement on administrative simplification and regulatory reduction by Minister-President Matthias Diependaele is on today’s agenda.
