On 29 January, the European Commission launched the Competitiveness Compass, a key initiative designed to enhance Europe’s long-term economic performance and address critical structural barriers. Pearle*-Live Performance Europe welcomes this initiative and the Commission’s commitment to reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, a measure that could significantly benefit our sector.

Last year, Pearle* conducted an inventory of EU legislation impacting the live performance sector and found that more than 400 rules currently affect our members—a surprising 2.5 times more than when we conducted a similar review ten years ago. This exponential growth in regulatory complexity underscores the urgency of simplification measures, especially for SMEs and cultural operators who face significant administrative challenges in their daily activities.

We therefore praise the Competitiveness Compass’ simplification target, aiming to cut administrative burdens by at least 25% overall and 35% for SMEs. Reducing these burdens will not only help improve the day-to-day operations of our members but also foster the creativity and innovation that are central to Europe’s cultural and economic identity.

As we represent the live performance sector, where cross-border mobility is essential, we also recognise the importance of measures to lower barriers within the Single Market. Pearle* looks forward to following the implementation of the new Single Market Strategy, which will modernise regulatory governance and remove obstacles hampering the work of live performance organisations.

We will continue to monitor the development of key initiatives from the Competitiveness Compass. By addressing regulatory burdens and fostering a supportive environment, we believe Europe can fully unlock the competitive potential of its cultural and creative industry.