The European Commission launched a consultation on the Top 10 Most Burdensome Pieces of EU Legislation for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) from September to December 2012. Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England, had urged local businesses to take part in this consultation.

The results of the consultation have now been published and identify broad policy areas as well as specific pieces of legislation which are deemed to be the most burdensome. Top of the list are health and safety, VAT and chemicals laws. EU waste policy and the Working Time Directive are also on the list.

Mrs Ford said, "I have consistently been pressuring for a review of red tape in EU legislation. Thank you to all the small businesses who took part in this consultation. We have now identified the pieces of legislation which put the biggest burdens on our businesses. However, this is just the first step. The Commission must take concrete actions to lighten the load for SMEs in these areas. I also want to ensure that the Commission makes this a priority and looks to act with urgency to address EU laws which are stifling our competitiveness. Whilst they say they want to act, they have no timetable. This is not good enough.

"I have been fighting in the European Parliament for an exemption for our smallest companies from EU legislation. Whilst the Commission supports this exemption, this only applies to new pieces of legislation. We also need to look retrospectively to existing EU laws. This is why I will be closely following the progress following the Top 10 consultation and putting pressure on the Brussels authorities' to ensure we achieve real results that reflect the priorities of small businesses."