The European Commission presented a major package of measures to strengthen and improve the European regulatory framework and ensure the EU's "regulatory fitness". This package is aimed at making it easier and cheaper for enterprises to do business and for citizens to enjoy the benefits of the Single Market.

The new major package of measures to strengthen and improve the European regulatory framework and ensure the EU's "regulatory fitness" presented by the European Commission, includes a new programme to cut any unnecessary regulatory costs at EU and national level. It follows up on the administrative burden programme. According to the Commission, the packages will help the EU to grow and compete in difficult times. In June 2011, the EESC already called for cutting red tape for SMEs.

The Commission highlights among the measures included in the package, a new Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) to systematically identify and transparently carry out initiatives that will result in significant regulatory cost reduction and simplification; also a follow-up to the Action Programme for Reducing Administrative Burden (ABRplus) to ensure that the success in the Administrative Burden Action Programme to cut red tape by 25% are bringing benefits to businesses and SMEs in the Member States; and sharpened tools for regulatory management.

On the other hand, the Commission has also been adapting EU legislation to the needs of SMEs and microenterprises, consulting widely with them and screening the body of laws to detect and relieve burdens on them. In early 2013, the Commission will present a first progress report on these activities.