BIS announcement
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has announced principles to be used when introducing European measures into UK law. The main one is that the text of European directives will be copied directly into UK law, the intention being that such a direct "copy out" principle will mean that British interpretations of European law are not unfairly restricting British companies. This practice will end so called "gold plating". The measure is also intended to cut red tape that can produce competitiveness.
The key elements of the principles are:
- Work on the implementation of an EU directive should start immediately after agreement is reached in Brussels.
- Early transposition of EU regulations will be avoided except where there are compelling reasons for early implementation.
- European directives will normally be directly copied into UK legislation, except where it would adversely affect UK interest.
- A statutory duty will be placed on Ministers to conduct a review of domestic legislation implementing a European directive every five years.
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