The results of a public consultation launched by the European Commission shows that SMEs see the biggest difficulties and costs as a consequence of the rules regarding the REACH chemical legislation, value added tax, product safety, recognition of professional qualifications, data protection, waste legislation, labour market related legislation, recording equipment for road transport, public procurement and the modernised customs code. While recognising the overall necessity of having European-wide rules in these areas, the Commission stressed that it will now thoroughly address these concerns via the new Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) launched in December 2012.

Around 1000 SMEs and business organisations have identified the top 10 most burdensome EU laws following a broad consultation launched by the European Commission in October 2012. The consultation's result indicates that SMEs see the biggest difficulties and costs as a consequence of the rules regarding the REACH chemical legislation, value added tax, product safety, recognition of professional qualifications, data protection, waste legislation, labour market related legislation, recording equipment for road transport, public procurement and the modernised customs code.

In many of the mentioned areas above (e.g. professional qualifications, data protection, procurement, etc.) the Commission pointed out that it has already taken action to further improve and simplify EU legislation. Moreover, the Commission, while recognising the overall necessity of having European-wide rules in these areas, will now thoroughly address these concerns via the new Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT). Through this programme, the EU's regulatory acquis is being screened for burdens, gaps and inefficiencies in order to evaluate and if appropriate revise those laws where the assessment points to a need for action. The Commission will announce follow up actions by June 2013, also taking into account the outcome of the ongoing legislative processes.

According to the Commission, the consultation also reveals that small businesses appreciate reduced payment deadlines under the Late Payments Directive entering into force on 16 March 2013 as one of the most successful legal improvements, together with allowing more SMEs to benefit from simplified accounting/auditing regimes.