Translation of "politique réglementaire générale " (French → English) :

Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive) according to its Article 1(3) is without prejudice to measures taken at Union or national level to pursue general interest objectives, in particular relating to content regulation and audiovisual policy.

Horizontal initiatives, such as the dialogue between the Commission and the US Office of Management and Budget on general regulatory policy, including: gaining an enhanced understanding on of each other’s regulatory practices, transparency provisions and public consultation, regulatory impact assessment methodologies and risk assessment methodologies; blueprint on identifying resources and mechanisms to promote exchanges of US and European regulatory experts. Sectoral activities in a number of specific areas, such as: pharmaceuticals, auto safety, information and communications technology standards in support of regulations and public policies, cosmetics, consume ...[+++]r product safety, enforcement of consumer protection, unfair commercial practices, nutritional labelling, food safety, marine equipment, eco-design, chemicals, energy efficiency, telecommunications and radio communication equipment and medical devices (see MEMO/05/213).

Ms. Victoria Tunstall (Regulatory Policy Analyst, Office of Regulation and Compliance, Tobacco Control Program, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Department of Health)

The creation of a Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection in 1999 and a reorganisation of scientific and regulatory work in order to ensure independence, transparency and better protection of consumer interests, demonstrates the increased importance attached to consumer policy.

It is therefore essential to relate the technical decisions taken at WRCs to broader policy aspects, notably as concerns telecommunications regulatory and trade issues.

Simplification - General Guidelines on Regulatory Policy were adopted by the Commission and issued to all its departments. They emphasise the need for adequate consultation, impact evaluation, coherence between different Community policy objectives and consideration of the proposal in the light of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.