Are integrated impact assessments the way forward for mainstreaming in the European Union?

This article assesses the utility of impact assessments (IA) as an effective tool for mainstreaming. Specifically, it analyses whether the European Union’s (EU) system of integrated impact assessments (IIA) contributes to the realisation of six mainstreaming objectives defined in the EU Treaties. The article first studies whether the legal framework for the EU’s system of IIAs makes it a viable tool for mainstreaming. It then proceeds with an empirical analysis of 35 impact assessments to assess the extent to which mainstreaming objectives are taken into account in practice. The analysis shows that all the six mainstreaming objectives have a place within the IIA system, but the system does not ensure systematic consideration of them. There is considerable variation across the mainstreaming agendas as well as across Directorates-General. The article concludes the IIA system is no panacea for mainstreaming, while proposing changes to the institutional framework to improve its mainstreaming potential