EGMF recommendations for the revision of the New Legislative Framework

EGMF responds to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the revision of the New Legislative Framework (NLF). Since its adoption in 2008, the NLF has been central to ensuring product safety, regulatory coherence, and free movement of goods in the European Single Market.

However, the scope of the NLF has been gradually expanded through sectoral legislation addressing digitalisation and sustainability. While these initiatives are important, they have also introduced legal uncertainty and risks of fragmentation, potentially slowing down innovation and increasing costs for industry and consumers.

EGMF’s recommendations aim to ensure that future EU product legislation remains robust, consistent, and future proof:

1. Ensure consistency of Single Market legislation

• Harmonise definitions across EU legislation to avoid national deviations.
• Simplify and standardise product information and labels.
• Support digital solutions (such as QR codes and the Digital Product Passport), in line with the Commission’s digitalisation agenda.

1. Avoid overlap of regulatory requirements

• Ensure clear, transparent rules to avoid unnecessary dependence on supplementary guidance.
• Simplify essential requirements and compliance procedures, particularly for SMEs.
• Clarify that when multiple EU laws apply to a product, the more specific legislation should take precedence.