The proliferation of regulations in Europe, driven by special interests, political maneuvering, and a desire to solve every conceivable problem, is hindering competitiveness and creating unnecessary burdens for citizens and businesses. Despite repeated efforts to reduce bureaucracy, the volume of rules continues to grow, with new regulations often adding to the complexity rather than simplifying processes.
The Draghi report highlights how EU bureaucracy acts as a significant impediment to competitiveness, while many members of the European Parliament view each new rule as a victory. Since 2019, a staggering 13,000 new rules have been introduced.
Danish companies bear a substantial cost due to GDPR, estimated between five and eleven billion annually. The Confederation of Danish Industry also notes the impact on small associations, while the Data Protection Agency has been slow to address the issue. Minister for Digitalization Caroline Stage aims to rectify the situation. Another EU ruling mandating the registration of working time is seen as a significant waste of time.
Politicians, not civil servants, are the primary drivers of regulatory growth, according to Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen. Denmark itself has contributed to the problem, having spearheaded regulations on cucumber curvature, later ridiculed by Brexit supporters, and fabricating an EU ban on digging for ancient relics in fallow fields.
Examples from the ecclesiastical realm reveal the absurdity of some regulations: moving a church pew is forbidden, relatives must carry coffins if doorsteps are too high, and manual bell ringing is restricted. Centralization of crematoria was imposed due to mercury concerns, later deemed ridiculous by experts, yet the regulation remained under a different justification.
Current debates, such as the ethical and legal implications of using ashes in jewelry or demands for rules to prevent future “Ramadan dinners” in parish halls, exemplify the tendency to over-regulate. While opposing certain actions is valid, resorting to new rules is not always necessary, as decency, responsibility, and leadership can provide sufficient guidance.