Alternative regulatory models. Towards better regulation?

Book abstract:

To understand the European Union it is vital to have a knowledge of how EU law is made, by whom and in what form. In the past this has largely meant understanding the processes for the adoption of Regulations, Directives, Decisions et al. However, more recently, there have been trends towards alternative mechanisms for policy co-operation and regulation at a European level in the context of the 'better regulation' and European governance initiatives.

In this context this new book from the EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce is a most valuable contribution to illuminating an area of increasing importance in EU policy-making, and also for bringing together a vast amount of information from a wide area of policy areas and separate initiatives into a single volume.

'Alternative regulatory models: towards better regulation?' offers an overview of the various alternatives to Directives and Regulations already being applied by European regulators, while also explaining and assessing developing models of alternative regulation such as the presumption of conformity, voluntary agreements, negotiated agreements, co-regulation, self-regulation, bench marking, peer review, scoreboards, and the open method of co-ordination. While many of these alternative methods were applied in the single market arena, increasingly, other policy areas are exploring these alternative approaches. Examples include environmental and consumer protection, product safety, e-commerce, financial services, social policy, corporate social responsibility, data protection, education and training. This book provides concise information on all these developments, and also draws up ten conclusions on progress so far, and the way forward.

The book also has a useful glossary with clear definitions for such terms as 'Social dialogue', 'Regulatory impact assessment', 'New approach', 'Mandelkern Report on Better Regulation', 'Co-regulation' and 'Focused Consultation Procedures'. Finally, the book also provides contact and explanatory information on the main EU Institutions and relevant stakeholder organisations.