Improving passenger rights

Summary:

The impact assessment (IA) provides a good information package to underpin the initiative on improving passenger rights. The IA's qualitative and quantitative analysis draws on several data sources, such as an IA supporting study, studies in the policy field, ex-post evaluations and stakeholder consultation; however, the IA supporting study does not appear to be fully referenced, to the detriment of transparency. The IA explains in detail the analytical methods used in a dedicated annex. The IA presents a well-evidenced problem definition and a balanced description of the policy measures and policy options; however, the offer of options is partially rather limited. In the comparison of options, the IA transparently notes that the stakeholders have differing views on the options, and recognises uncertainties in the estimates of hassle cost savings. The analysis would have benefited from some clarification relating to the effectiveness assessment and the scoring of proportionality and subsidiarity. The IA considers that the initiative is relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and, consequently, an SME test was performed. However, SMEs are not differentiated by size classes (micro, small and medium enterprises) in the analysis, and the mitigating measures could have been explained more in detail. It appears that the legislative proposal follows the preferred options of the IA.

• Alternative Source 1