Last year, the government established a new rule to reduce bureaucracy. The rule is called "one in, one out". This means that when the state adds a new rule, it must also remove an old rule.
Bureaucracy is simply all those rules and paperwork that people and businesses must comply with. If there are too many rules, it takes a lot of time and money.
The rule was used in the amendment of 34 laws. A third of these laws reduced bureaucracy. For other laws, bureaucracy either remained unchanged or decreased.
In some cases, the rule was not applied. For example, when the state concluded a treaty with another country or when it was necessary for national security.
Margit Juhkam, an employee of the Ministry of Justice, said that initially there was skepticism about the rule. But now it is clear that it helps reduce bureaucracy.
For example, when amending the Fisheries Act, one paperwork requirement was eliminated. Fishermen no longer need to submit a vessel seaworthiness certificate. At the same time, a new rule came into force: owners of smaller vessels must install tracking devices on their vessels.
Another example is the amendment to the Animal Protection Act. The new rules increase bureaucracy for duck keepers but reduce it for other animal keepers.
When the state drafts a new law, it must state whether it increases bureaucracy or not. If bureaucracy increases, the state must find a way to reduce it.
The rule does not apply to laws initiated by the Riigikogu. The Ministry of Justice also does not check the bureaucracy of regulations issued by ministers.
Last year, the Ministry of Justice reviewed over 4009 regulations. It was found that 304 regulations were no longer needed. Opportunities to reduce bureaucracy were also found in 327 regulations.
Now ministries plan to amend these regulations to reduce bureaucracy. This work will take more time.