Introduced in the EU better regulation toolbox since 2016, the innovation principle requires that the innovation dimension is considered when preparing and implementing EU legislation, while upholding Europe’s rigorous standards to meet societal needs. It is anchored in the EU Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox, notably in Tool #22 ‘Research and Innovation’, which promotes the consideration of research and innovation impacts throughout the policy process, comprising three main components: (i) foresight and horizon scanning; (ii) preparation of EU legislation, including stakeholder consultation, impact assessment and experimentation clauses; and (iii) the implementation phase, focusing on evaluations and the so-called ‘innovation deals’.
This study assesses the extent to which the innovation principle adequately promoted the preparation of innovation-friendly policies during the 2020-2025 period, and recommends possible improvements. It builds on a previous study (Simonelli and Renda 2019) and significantly expands the methodology, providing also nine case studies. It also examines the principle’s coherence with the other Better Regulation tools and initiatives, especially the Competitiveness Check and the SME Test, as well as the Omnibus regulations. The assessment is based on a desk review of 219 impact assessments conducted between 2020 and 2025, including a more general, horizontal assessment and in-depth illustrative case studies. Within this sample, impact assessments that were particularly relevant for the application of the innovation principle can be found in areas such as environmental and climate regulation; energy markets and infrastructure; digital and data-related legislation; and chemicals, industrial, and product regulation.
This independent expert report was produced for the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation. The study was originally published here.
