Better Regulation guidelines and application of SME test in revision of EU framework for tobacco control
29.8.2023
Priority question for written answer P-002459/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Alexandr Vondra (ECR)
The Commission is currently evaluating the EU framework for tobacco control, which includes the Tobacco Products Directive[1] and other related tobacco control policies. This evaluation is supposed to be carried out in line with Better Regulation guidelines that reflect the Commission’s commitment to carefully assess the impacts of proposals on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure that actions are targeted, achieve their objectives and do not add unnecessary costs. Instruments such as the SME test should help to achieve this aim.
However, the recently closed public consultation evaluating the legislative framework for tobacco control did not include any specific questions related to the impact on SMEs operating under the existing framework or to the SMEs that could be potentially impacted by the proposed changes.
Given the above:
- 1.How does the Commission plan to assess the economic impact of the current and future proposals on SMEs?
- 2.Does it intend to use the SME test?
Submitted: 29.8.2023
- [1] Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC (OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, p. 1).