EU Single Market

News and information about the European Union's single market.

In-depth examination of insurance against natural catastrophes, announces Barnier — 11 March 2010, 17:29 CET

The Commission is to carry out an in-depth examination of insurance schemes covering national catastrophes, in particular flooding, announced Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, yesterday, 9 March, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Internal market test" needed for new EU legislation, say MEPs — 10 March 2010, 18:21 CET

The EU's internal market was put under scrutiny today, 9 March, when Members of the European Parliament debated a series of reports in their plenary session in Strasbourg. They concluded that there is no conflict between consumer rights and an economically efficient single market: they reinforce each other. This is the key message of three resolutions approved by Parliament that look at EU law on consumer protection, the internal market and the SOLVIT system for settling consumer disputes.

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection — 17 February 2010, 13:20 CET

Responsibilities, contacts and latest studies of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Labelling of textile products — 07 January 2010, 18:01 CET

The labelling of textile products in the EU harmonises the names of textile fibres and other terms used in labelling or other documents accompanying these products, in order to ensure adequate information for consumers and to promote the development of the internal market.

Copyright and related rights in the EU: term of protection — 16 December 2009, 18:14 CET

This Directive aims to harmonise the term of protection for copyright and related rights in the EU. It sets the term of protection for copyright at 70 years and for related rights at 50 years.

EC Action Programme Customs 2013 (2008-2013) — 04 December 2009, 12:02 CET

The European Community action programme Customs 2013 (2008-2013) aims to support the development of a pan-European electronic customs environment which ensures that customs activities match the needs of the EU internal market, guarantees the protection of the financial interests of the EC and increases safety and security.

Towards a Single Market in Creative Content Online — 03 December 2009, 16:19 CET

Online content knows no bounds and is on the increase. Reaching almost 500 million consumers, content services could significantly enhance the competitiveness of the European music, film and games industry by 2010. This is why the European Commission is encouraging the development of a stronger and more consumer-friendly internal market for online creative content within the European Union.

Competitiveness Council — 25 September 2009, 23:06 CET

The creation of the Competitiveness Council in June 2002, through the merging of three previous configurations (Internal Market, Industry and Research) was a response to the perceived need for a more coherent and better coordinated handling of these matters related to the European Union's competitiveness. Depending on the items on the agenda, this Council is composed of European Affairs Ministers, Industry Ministers, Research Ministers, etc. It meets about five or six times a year.

EU Internal Market Contacts — 05 August 2009, 22:40 CET

 

Working in the Single Market: Professional Qualifications — 01 August 2009, 14:26 CET

The EU's policy on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications is an example of action undertaken by the European Commission to remove the remaining legal and practical obstacles that deter people from benefiting from the freedom of movement and right to reside in another EU Member State.

Free Movement of Capital in the EU — 01 August 2009, 14:30 CET

Free movement of capital is an essential condition for the proper functioning of the European Union Single Market. It enables a better allocation of resources within the EU, facilitates trade across borders, favours workers mobility, and makes it easier for businesses to raise the money they need to start and grow.

European Parliament's Committees: Internal Market — 01 August 2009, 14:47 CET

 

Internal Market - General Principles — 01 August 2009, 22:22 CET

The freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide cross border services are two of the “fundamental freedoms” of the EU Internal Market.

A Single Market for Services — 01 August 2009, 22:26 CET

Services are crucial to the European Internal Market. They are everywhere, accounting for between 60 and 70% of economic activity in the European Union of 25 Member States, and a similar (and rising) proportion of overall employment. This underlines the economic importance of services in the European Union.

Free Movement of Goods in the EU — 01 August 2009, 22:27 CET

The principle of free movement of goods is one of the cornerstones of the European Union's internal market. This principle implies that national barriers to the free movement of goods within the EU be removed.

Free Movement of Goods in the EU — 23 July 2009, 09:32 CET

The principle of free movement of goods is one of the cornerstones of the internal market. This principle implies that national barriers to the free movement of goods within the EU be removed.