Majority of EU Nations Seek to Dismantle Bloc’s Outdated Rules

A majority of European Union countries, including Germany and France, are calling for a systematic review of the bloc’s regulations by the end of the year to dismantle old rules that pose challenges for the competitiveness of its companies.

“We call for the reduction of the rulebook and the dismantling of outdated rules, while maintaining policy goals,” according to a letter sent to European Council President Antonio Costa and signed by the leaders of 20 countries.

EU leaders will discuss the simplification agenda at a summit Thursday in Brussels. Some capitals and businesses are pushing the European Commission, the bloc’s ...