Europe

United States-European Union High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Forum

The EC-U.S. High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Forum (“the Forum”) provides a setting for senior officials from all areas of the government to come together to discuss regulatory policy matters of mutual interest. The Forum aims to improve the quality of regulation on both sides, through sharing regulatory best practices such as risk and impact assessments, and techniques related to reducing the costs to business and consumers that arise from unnecessary differences in regulatory requirements.

The Forum also identifies opportunities for cooperation on specific sectoral issues. The dialogue helps bridge gaps where responsibilities in the two administrations do not correspond exactly, and allows for early engagement on new emerging regulatory issues. The Forum engages with stakeholders in public sessions which form part of its regular meetings. As well as informing business and consumers about the results of Forum work, these sessions provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions with officials from both sides on topics selected by the stakeholders.

The work of the Forum contributes to achieving the objectives of high-level political bodies such as the Transatlantic Economic Council and the Energy Council. The Forum is co-chaired by the Director-General of the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget.

Related Documents and Statements

OIRA welcomes your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on international regulatory cooperation and our activities with key trading partners and multilateral efforts. Please send your comments to international-oira@omb.eop.gov.  To find regulations that OIRA is currently reviewing that are expected to have international trade and investment effects, please go to OIRA’s Regulatory Review Dashboard on www.RegInfo.gov.