The CCCI, as coordinator of the Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus (EEN) would like to inform you of a new online survey aimed at gathering input from businesses and other stakeholders regarding the phenomenon of gold-plating in the transposition and implementation of European Union legislation by Member States.
Simplifying the regulatory framework and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens are key priorities of the European Commission in its efforts to strengthen business
competitiveness. In its Communication “A Simpler, Clearer and Better Enforced EU Rulebook”, adopted in April 2026, the Commission committed to developing a toolkit of best practices and criteria to assist Member States in identifying and avoiding instances of excessive implementation of EU legislation.
At the same time, the Single Market Strategy of May 2025 identified gold-plating as one of the most significant barriers affecting the effective functioning of the Single Market.
Furthermore, the European Council has repeatedly called on Member States to avoid imposing disproportionate national requirements when transposing and implementing EU rules.
What is Gold-Plating?
Gold-plating refers to the introduction, during the transposition or implementation of EU legislation at national level, of rules or obligations that go beyond the requirements set out in the corresponding EU legal act.
According to the European Commission, gold-plating may take various forms, including:
- Stricter standards or compliance requirements than those required under EU
- Additional registration, reporting, or data submission
- Extra licensing requirements or administrative
- National labelling, safety, or documentation
- Restrictive interpretations of
- Additional sanctions, controls, inspections, or enforcement
Through this consultation, stakeholders are invited to share their experiences, views
and recommendations by 15 September 2026 regarding the impact of gold-plating on business activities, including the costs and administrative burdens arising from the over implementation of EU legislation, its effects on competitiveness and growth, and possible solutions to reduce unnecessary regulatory requirements. Participants, including SMEs, may also upload supporting studies, analyses, position papers or other relevant documentation.
Participants, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), may also submit relevant studies, analyses, position papers, or other supporting material. The information collected will be used in discussions with Member States and will contribute to the development of the forthcoming European Commission Toolkit for Preventing Gold-Plating in the Implementation of EU Legislation.
You can participate in the consultation by completing a short survey HERE!
In order to be able to participate in the consultation, you will need to have an EU Log-in account, if you do not have one, please register here.
We encourage all interested businesses and stakeholders to take part and make their voices heard.
For any further information and inquiries please contact GROW-SIMPLIFICATION@ec.europa.eu.
Christina Panayides CCCI Officer | Department of Trade, Services & Digitalization Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus | T: 22889766, c.panayides@ccci.org.cy