28th regimes (proposed terms: EU Inc.,Proposed by Ursula von der Leyen but opposed by others as an Americanism. Societas Europaea Unificata (S.EU)) are proposed legal frameworks of European Union rules which do not replace member states' own national rules but are an optional alternative to them. The number 28 in the name comes from 27 member states in the EU and their national legal systems, which are extended by a new EU-wide alternative.Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘The 28th regime — an alternative allowing less lawmaking at Community level’ (own-initiative opinion) 21.1.2011
Examples
Societas Europaea (European Company Statute);COM(2007) 226 final proposed European contract law;Thomson Reuters Practical Law, Legal FAQs: What is the 28th regime?, accessed 27 April 2024 European insurance contract law; a unitary patent; Pan-European Personal Pension Product; Union authorization under the Biocidal Products Directive.
In January 2025 the President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen established a project group to work on proposals of 28th regime for startups and scaleups.Decision of the President of the European Commission on the establishment of a Commissioners’ Project Group on Startups and Scaleups In July 2025, the European Commission launched a public consultation to gather views from all stakeholders. Titled "28th regime – a single harmonized set of rules for innovative companies throughout the EU", the consultation closes on 30 September 2025.
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