Upon the invitation of Prof. Peter Jung, Isabelle Négrier, Executive Director of EuropaNova, was at Humboldt University of Berlin assisted to a conference titled “Model EU and OHADA: Perspectives of a Mutual Influence in Commercial Law.” This conference, dedicated to intercontinental comparative law, opened by Paul Bayzelon, graduate of École Polytechnique and Sciences Po Paris, and former Insurance Commissioner. Bayzelon set the tone for the discussions, emphasizing the significance of a European Business Code at a civilizational level: “The European Code of Business Law is the beginning to become a European nation. When you share rules, you become a nation, a European nation!”
Despite the absence of a public mandate, over 200 volunteer European jurists have come together to propose a first draft of the European Business Code. This initiative, supported by EuropaNova, theHenri Capitant Association and other partners, aims to unify business law in Europe, drawing inspiration from the OHADA model. Established thirty years ago,OHADA has transformed business law in Africa, creating a harmonized legal framework across 17 countries and positively impacting economic integration.
Le September 29, 2023,EuropaNova and its partners presented the first draft of the European Business Code at the European Parliament in Rome. This collective effort involves over a hundred leading European lawyers and seek to provide common legal tools adapted to European businesses' needs. Unlike the United States and Africa, which have already established unified business codes, Europe currently lacks such a cohesive framework, limiting its competitiveness and economic integration.
As Isabelle Négrier highlighted, “The launch of this first project in Rome in 2023 marks a shift towards a Europe of people united by common rules, beyond States and Treaties .” Harmonizing business law is a crucial step towards consolidating Europe beyond mere political agreements, fostering a European identity grounded in shared legal standards. This initiative is expected to enhance intra-European trade, innovation, growth, and purchasing power, bringing significant economic benefits.
The conference in Berlin aims to raise awareness among emerging European leaders, particularly in the post-election context, about the importance of this project. The creation of a European Business Code is not just a legal reform but a foundational step towards building a cohesive European nation united by common rules.
Le The 2023 EuropaNova Conclave report and the Draghi Report advocate for accelerating the harmonization of business law in Europe to meet contemporary challenges and position Europe as a strong, integrated economic bloc. “ The rapid implementation of a European Business law Code will make day-to-day life and scaling up easier for companies. "
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