Simplify Europe’s sustainability agenda without weakening it

The EU’s first major simplification package of the mandate, the sustainability "Omnibus", takes a key step forward as the Parliament's lead negotiator Jörgen Warborn MEP publishes his proposal to make EU rules smarter, not heavier.

“Europe is falling behind the US and China in the global race for competitiveness. I’m entering this process with a clear ambition: to cut costs for businesses and go further than the Commission on simplification. Less red tape and fewer burdens, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). That’s how we strengthen Europe’s economy,” says Warborn.

The lead negotiator's draft proposal includes, among other suggestions, streamlining and raising the thresholds to €450 million in turnover and 3,000 employees for the sustainability directives (CSRD, CSDDD), and taxonomy, significantly reducing the trickle-down burden on SMEs. It supports a strong SME shield and removes the requirement for mandatory climate transition plans. 

“We don’t drop our values when it comes to sustainability. We make them work. The goal is to simplify, not weaken, Europe’s sustainability agenda,” Warborn adds.
By cutting unnecessary red tape for businesses, the Omnibus frees up resources for innovation, investment, and growth. SMEs get room to breathe when large firms face fewer requirements. Europe doesn’t win by regulating more — we win by regulating better.