The issue of over-regulation, or “gold-plating,” remains a significant challenge in the European Union, where member states often add national requirements that complicate the implementation of EU law. In response, Ursula von der Leyen recently proposed a “pact against gold-plating,” urging member states to ensure that rules agreed at the European level do not become unnecessarily complex at the national level. The complexity is particularly visible in Central and Eastern Europe.
A Polish report, cited by analyst Miłosz Manasterski, cataloged 100 examples of over-regulation in Poland’s transposition of EU law. Furthermore, the Fraser Institute’s index ranks Poland low among the 27 member states for economic freedom. This contrasts sharply with former Soviet republics like Georgia and Armenia, which often rank higher in economic freedom indices.
The principle of excessive documentation required by bureaucracy is a historical theme, one that has persisted since the communist era across the region. While EU law is meant to harmonize standards, the need for states to adapt complex directives has led to varied outcomes. The disparity is starkly illustrated by economic freedom data.
The Fraser Institute’s 2024 report shows that Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—all former Soviet members—rank significantly higher than Poland, which placed 65th among the EU’s member states. These figures suggest that while the legal framework is established in Brussels, the practical implementation and regulatory efficiency vary widely.
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It seems like the EU is always adding more rules to fix the rules.