THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 50(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [OJ C 181, 21.6.2012, p. 84.],
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure [Position of the European Parliament of 12 June 2013 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 20 June 2013.],
Whereas:
(1) This Directive takes into account the Commission's better regulation programme, and, in particular, the Commission Communication entitled "Smart Regulation in the European Union", which aims at designing and delivering regulation of the highest quality whilst respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and ensuring that the administrative burden
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