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Since 2001, the European Commission has been committed to undertaking an evidence-based impact assessment of all major legislative proposals, covering the potential economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of the proposed policy both inside and outside the European Union. This paper provides as assessment of the quality of a sample of the Commission's extended impact assessment reports, and of the process by which these reports have been prepared. It also considers what lessons might be drawn from this experience and the measures that might be taken to strengthen future assessment practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]