Goods Package – timely proposals to improve the free movement of goods

Today the European Commission presented a ‘Goods Package’ with proposals to improve the free movement of goods in the Single Market. The package consists of proposals for new regulations in the areas of market surveillance and mutual recognition. 

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “In practice the realisation of the free movement of goods is not self-evident, and requires a sustained effort. We have to ensure that no unjustified national barriers are imposed and that market surveillance is carried out effectively throughout the Single Market. We fully support the Commission’s efforts in this area and welcome the proposals in the package.” 

In the area of market surveillance, better cooperation between authorities is necessary to maintain fair competition. Market surveillance should be well coordinated in order to ensure that non-compliant traders are detected. The proposal for a new regulation in the area of market surveillance makes important improvements to this extent.

Regarding mutual recognition, companies are often not fully aware of their rights and have no effective remedies at their disposal if they suspect those rights have not been respected. The proposal for a new regulation for mutual recognition, in combination with the Single Digital Gateway from the ‘Compliance package’ presented in May this year, is a step forward to improve this situation. In our view, it is key that companies have direct access to well-functioning remedies. 

Considering the importance of this file for the functioning of the Single Market, we call on the incoming Bulgarian EU Presidency to prioritise the ‘Goods Package’ in the Council discussions in the first half of 2018.

BusinessEurope’s strategy papers on Market Surveillance and Mutual Recognition.

Related European Commission Press Release.