IEEP UK has launched a new EU Omnibus Tracker monitoring omnibus packages relevant to sustainability and environmental regulations, providing a summary of their key elements. The initial version of the tracker, which will be updated quarterly, covers developments up to March 2026.

In her first term as President of the Commission (2019-2024), Ursula von der Leyen’s flagship European Green Deal policy resulted in a significant number of environment and climate measures being passed. In her second term (2024–2029), however, the emphasis has shifted toward strengthening industrial competitiveness, with a focus on simplifying regulations and easing administrative requirements.

Some critics argue that this shift risks weakening the Green Deal, an argument echoed by organisations such as Climate Action Network Europe. The European Commission, in contrast, frames this change as a response to Mario Draghi’s report on Europe’s future competitiveness, which highlights the need to transition toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy as a foundation for long-term prosperity.

In line with this approach, von der Leyen’s second mandate has introduced a series of controversial simplification measures, commonly referred to as “Omnibus packages.” The Commission’s 2025 work programme set out the first wave of these proposals, aiming to cut administrative burdens by at least 25% for businesses overall and 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises. According to Commission estimates, these measures could reduce recurring administrative costs across the EU by around €11.9 billion.

Ten omnibus packages have so far been proposed, spanning a broad range of policy areas. Two of these directly address sustainability and environmental regulation. Omnibus I, approved by the EU council on 24 February 2026 and in force since the 18 March 2026 has narrowed the scope of the CSDDD and postponed its application, whilst also reducing the reach of the CSRD with changes to thresholds and widening available exemptions. Omnibus VIII, at proposal stage, focuses on simplifying EU environmental legislation in areas such as industrial emissions and environmental assessments.

At the same time, sustainability considerations are woven into several other packages, notably those related to agriculture and food, chemicals, and automotive rules, where simplification efforts affect legislation originally introduced under the Green Deal.

You can access the tracker by following this link.

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