The European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has opened an inquiry concerning how the European Commission prepared a legislative proposal as part of its omnibus package of simplification measures.

The decision to open an inquiry follows a complaint by eight civil society organisations who argue that the Commission breached its Better Regulation Guidelines by failing to justify why it did not carry out a public consultation or impact assessment on the draft legislation.

The complainants also argue that the Commission should have conducted a climate consistency assessment as foreseen by the European Climate Law.

At this stage of the inquiry, the Ombudswoman has asked the Commission a series of questions. They centre on the stakeholder consultations listed by the Commission in the explanatory memorandum accompanying its legislative proposal.

They include a request for more detail about which companies and stakeholders were invited to meetings with the Commission in early February 2025 and using what criteria.

The Commission is also asked to explain its decision not to carry out a public consultation.

This complaint is the third received by the Ombudsman's Office in relation to whether the Commission has followed the necessary rules as it prepares legislative proposals.

Of the two other complaints, one led to an inquiry (ongoing) concerning how the Commission prepared a proposal to amend legislation related to the Common Agricultural Policy and the other is still in the initial assessment stage by the Ombudsman's Office.