1. REFIT Platform
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Diversity Europe Group

2. What is the REFIT Platform?
When? Creation in May 2015 in the framework of the European Commission Better Regulation agenda
Role?
 Advises the European Commission on how to make existing EU regulation more efficient and effective while reducing burden and without undermining policy objectives
 Makes recommendations to the European Commission, taking into account suggestions made by citizens and interested parties
The REFIT Platform brings together high-level experts from stakeholders and Member States in regular meetings to improve existing EU legislation.
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Diversity Europe Group

3. Who are the REFIT Platform Members?
Chair? First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans
Composition? Two experts groups:
 Stakeholder group – 20 experts representing business, SMEs, civil society organisations and social partners
1 member representing the EESC
1 member representing the CoR
 Government group – 1 representative from each EU country
What? Platform members consider suggestions made by citizens and stakeholders, assess the merits of these contributions and look at practical ways in which follow-up can be recommended to the European Commission
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Diversity Europe Group

4. How are REFIT opinions adopted?
Suggestions to the Platform are submitted:
- Online via ‘Lighten the load’
- Via Platform members
- Via other means
COM Secretariat General selects only relevant suggestions
Relevant suggestions are assessed by the Stakeholder group, which establishes priorities.
The Government group contributes to this work.
COM Secretariat General consolidates input from the two groups
The full REFIT Platform, composed of all members of both groups, discusses and adopts the opinion.
Adopted REFIT Platform opinions published on the REFIT Platform website under ‘recommendations’
European Commission communicates follow-up actions
How are REFIT opinions adopted?
Suggestions that are not relevant are referred to the EU helpdesk “Europe Direct” or answered directly by Commission services
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group

5. Opinions adopted by the REFIT Platform (November 2018)
Since the creation of the REFIT Platform in 2015:
684 stakeholder suggestions received
5 Plenary meetings
20 individual group (stakeholders and MS) meetings
89 opinions adopted from a wide range of economic, social and environmental policy areas
Work in progress
 The REFIT Platform is currently assessing 279 relevant submissions
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group

6. How is the EESC contributing to the REFIT Platform?
1) Framework of EESC opinions related to the Better Regulation agenda and the REFIT Platform
Own-initiative opinion on the Transparency, methodology and resources of impact assessments (INT/817, rapporteur: Denis MEYNENT)
Own-initiative opinion on Better Regulation/State of play (INT/838, rapporteur: Bernd DITTMANN)
Own-initiative opinion on the Evaluation of European Commission stakeholder consultations (SC/040, rapporteur: Ronny LANNOO)
Opinion on Better Regulation (SC/041, rapporteur: Bernd DITTMANN)
Exploratory opinion on REFIT (SC/044, rapporteur: Denis MEYNENT)
“The Committee duly notes the creation of the REFIT platform, in which it is involved and which is intended to analyse the proposals to reduce the unnecessary administrative and regulatory burden and facilitate the application of EU legislation in the Member States”. (…) “The Committee is delighted that it will thus be able to fully involved in the legislative cycle and have many more opportunities to help with the drafting of future EU policy strategies”.
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group

7. How is the EESC contributing to the REFIT Platform?
2) Nomination of EESC Representatives to the REFIT Platform
Mr Bernd Dittmann (GRI)
January 2016 – August 2017
Mr Denis Meynent (GRII)
September 2017 – August 2019
Mr Ronny Lannoo (GRIII)
From September ?
EESC Bureau 10/11/2015: Nomination of 3 members as EESC representatives in the REFIT Platform – on a rotating basis – for a mandate running until October 2019
EESC Bureau 16/02/2016: Adoption of rules relative to the EESC representatives’ tasks, to be accomplished “in cooperation with the sections and group presidents”:
The three members will work closely together
The EESC, given its role in the institutional set-up, will not offer to act as rapporteur for the Platform
The EESC’s contribution should focus on a limited number of themes which the three members will identify on the basis of previous or ongoing EESC work
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group

8. How is the EESC contributing to the REFIT Platform?
3) EESC priorities in the REFIT Platform based on specific opinions
EESC representatives in the REFIT Platform are tasked with preparing the EESC positions
PAS Unit assists the Members in the preparation of these positions on the basis of:
previous or ongoing EESC work
consultations with sections of the legislative directorates
For Example: REFIT Platform meeting 29/01/2019
 On the topic of “Effectiveness and efficiency of public procurement (youth and social care)”, the EESC representatives put forward a strong position based on three previous opinions:
CCMI/132 – More transparency in public procurement
INT/703 – Standardisation of electronic invoicing in public procurement
INT/713 – Implementation of e-procurement methods
The REFIT Platform opinions have largely inspired the Commission in the building of its 2019 Work Programme. However, the impact of the EESC’s participation in the REFIT Platform has not been assessed yet and could constitute a further step to take.
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group

9. Future of the REFIT Platform
Since Spring 2018: European Commission reflecting on the future of the REFIT Platform
Launch of a series of consultations with the European Parliament, the European Council, the EESC and the CoR
EESC representatives actively participating in these consultations - under a mandate approved by the EESC Bureau in December 2018 – through:
Meeting with European Commission representatives on 15/01/2019. EESC representatives suggestions on the REFIT Platform during this meeting:
Improvement in the composition and content of the REFIT platform
Clearer definition of the platform’s mandate + more careful selection of the stakeholders
Better balancing the focus between reducing vs improving regulations
EESC members contributed to a Commission survey
 EESC Bureau will have to decide on a new representatives’ mandate after the new Commission decides on the future of the REFIT agenda
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Diversity Europe Group

10. Thank you for listening
Questions ?
Sources: European Commission, 2018
20/02/2019
Diversity Europe Group