Promotion of innovation-friendly regulation in the EU and internationally 

The European Union has a strong aim to develop a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment. In May 2020, the European Commission established the ‘Fit for Future’ platform, which is tasked to help the Commission ensure that EU policies are future-proof, innovation-friendly and recognise the opportunities offered by digitalisation.

The Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on regulatory sandboxes and experimentation clauses as tools for better regulation in November 2020. The conclusions are closely linked with the innovation principle, which requires that the impacts on research and innovation should be taken into account both in new regulation and in the assessment of old regulation.

In autumn 2021, the OECD Council adopted a recommendation for agile regulatory governance to harness innovation. The purpose of the recommendation is to help countries develop and implement new regulatory approaches and increase cooperation to promote innovation.  

During the Finnish Presidency of the EU, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, in cooperation with the European Commission, organised an international conference to discuss the Innovation Principle as a tool for sustainable growth.

Further information:

Kirsti Vilén - kirsti.vilen(at)gov.fi