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The European Commission has published its Competitiveness Compass, the first major initiative of the new European Commission, providing a strategic framework to guide its work. The roadmap is designed to address some of Europe’s most pressing challenges - regulatory complexity, the green transition, and the need to boost innovation and investment.

Building on the recommendations of the Draghi Report, the Competitiveness Compass identifies three key priorities to strengthen Europe’s economic resilience. First, closing the innovation gap is critical to ensuring Europe remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Second, strengthening industrial competitiveness while advancing decarbonisation will allow industries to remain globally competitive while transitioning to sustainable practices. Lastly, reducing dependencies and increasing supply chain security will enhance Europe’s autonomy, ensuring stability in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

CLECAT welcomes the recognition of logistics and freight transport as critical enablers of trade, economic growth, and supply chain security. The Competitiveness Compass introduces an integrated Clean Industrial Deal, with a strong focus on decarbonising transport and logistics. CLECAT supports the Commission’s commitment to:

• Ensure affordable energy for logistics and industry through the Affordable Energy Action Plan (Q1 2025).
• Advance sustainable transport investment via a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (Q3 2025), de-risking investments in renewable and low-carbon fuels, green infrastructure, and cross-border rail connectivity.
• Develop a European Port Strategy to strengthen green shipping corridors and alternative fuel infrastructure for maritime transport.

CLECAT also appreciates the Compass’ focus on regulatory simplification for European business and the commitment of the Commission to reduce reporting burden by at least 25% for all companies and at least 35% for SMEs which are the backbone of the European freight forwarding and logistics sector.  The first Simplification Omnibus Package, published next month, will introduce measures to reduce administrative burden in sustainability reporting (CSRD), supply chain due diligence (CS3D), and investment taxonomy, ensuring a proportionate approach for SMEs in logistics. The Commission is also considering simplification for CBAM compliance. CLECAT also welcomes initiatives aimed to harmonise Single Market rules to remove cross-border bottlenecks in freight transport.

CLECAT Director General Nicolette van der Jagt commented: "Freight forwarders have faced an increasing burden of overlapping regulations, complex reporting requirements, and fragmented transport policies. CLECAT is looking forward to the see the detail of Omnibus simplification measures, which must be effective in reducing unnecessary bureaucracy."

While the Competitiveness Compass sets ambitious goals for reducing bureaucracy, enhancing trade, and facilitating investment, its success will depend on the outcome of the upcoming political negotiations. CLECAT will continue to advocate for regulatory simplification, and investment in sustainable logistics infrastructure to ensure that Europe’s freight forwarding sector remains a cornerstone of the Single Market and global trade.