Deregulating EU Standards: A Threat to Health, Climate, and Social Justice
14 Jan 2025
What happens when corporate interests take priority over public welfare? The European Commission’s new push for ‘competitiveness through simplification’ has raised concerns about weakening important rules that protect our health, environment, and workers’ rights. These protections are the foundation of a fair and sustainable society. Without them, the risks to public welfare, the climate, and social justice could grow even worse.

Slow Food co-signed a letter with other civil society and trade union organizations, calling on the European Commission to uphold and strengthen vital regulations that protect health, nature, climate, and social justice. It warns against the risks of oversimplification leading to harmful deregulation, which could undermine essential EU standards in areas like food safety, workers’ rights, and environmental protections.
Instead of prioritizing narrow corporate interests, the letter advocates for bold, fair governance to support a socio-ecological transition. Strong regulations and enforcement are presented as essential tools for fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience while ensuring public welfare and trust in democratic institutions.
The letter outlines specific demands, urging the Commission to:
- Safeguard and reinforce regulations critical for ecological and social transformation.
- Guarantee that “simplification” does not equate to deregulatory measures.
- Prevent the rollback of existing protections.
- Ensure accountability and democratic participation in policymaking.
At its core, this appeal emphasizes that robust, well-enforced EU standards are not burdensome but foundational to building a fair, thriving, and sustainable Europe.
Blog & news
Contact Us
Get in touch
Do you have any questions or comments for our team? Don’t hesitate to get in touch!