EU Member States should bring single market barriers down

EU single market strategy to help Europe stay competitive

The EU single market strategy presented today by the European Commission in Brussels is a step in the right direction. It can help make the EU single market work better.

BUSINESSEUROPE’s Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented: “Our single market is one of Europe’s greatest assets, but is still not living up to its full potential. We need to remove remaining obstacles and must ensure that existing rules work in practice. European citizens and companies will benefit from an easier flow of goods and services across the EU. The single market strategy rightly focuses on better application and stronger enforcement of EU legislation on the ground.”

The strategy proposes relevant actions to remove barriers to the free movement of goods and services. Taking a more analytical and qualitative approach to implementation is key in this respect.

We support a more systematic notification of national rules limiting the free movement of goods and services.

The success of this strategy will depend on the details of the proposed measures and the willingness and commitment from EU member states to make the right reforms.

BUSINESSEUROPE urges the EU to deliver concrete proposals rapidly.

“We are the largest common marketplace in the world. It is essential that EU member states, with 500 million people and 21 million companies, show more commitment and remove remaining barriers to the free movement of people, goods, services and capital. This could add up to 5% to the EU gross domestic product”, Beyrer said.

Background

Today the European Commission presented its renewed strategy for a fairer and deeper European single market - a key priority of the Juncker Commission. It announces a number of actions to be taken in the next years to improve the functioning of the single market. BUSINESSEUROPE’s key messages on single market policy are here.

For background information please also see the EP study “The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market”.