EU Single Market

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

Brussels looks to end fast fashion culture — 31 March 2022, 22:46 CET

The Commission set out plans Wednesday to tackle fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold textiles with a new strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable.

Sustainable products to become the norm, says EU — 30 March 2022, 23:05 CET

Goods on the EU market would need to be more environment-friendly, circular, and energy efficient throughout their lifecycle, under proposals announced Wednesday by the European Commission.

EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles guide — 30 March 2022, 22:58 CET

The European Commission presented on 30 March a new strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable, to tackle fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold textiles, and ensure their production takes place in full respect of social rights.

Sustainable Products Initiative guide — 30 March 2022, 22:43 CET

The European Commission presented on 30 March a package of European Green Deal proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition. The new rules would make almost all physical goods on the EU market more friendly to the environment, circular, and energy efficient throughout their whole lifecycle from the design phase through to daily use, repurposing and end-of-life.

Brussels mulls upgrade to toy safety directive — 03 March 2022, 22:39 CET

The EU Commission published a public consultation Thursday on the revision of the EU Toy Safety Directive, with the aim of addressing chemical risks that could compromise children's health and safety.

Investment funds: single market benefits 'unrealised', say EU auditors — 22 February 2022, 21:01 CET

The EU has a framework to establish a single market for investment funds, but not all of its goals have been achieved, the EU's Court of Auditors said Tuesday, with many potential benefits still 'untapped'.

New EU Chips Act aims for 'digital sovereignty' — 09 February 2022, 23:39 CET

The European Commission proposed Tuesday a comprehensive package it says will ensure the EU's security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technology.

European Chips Act - guide — 08 February 2022, 17:57 CET

The European Commission proposed on 8 February a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the EU's security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications.

EU aspires to global leadership on standards — 08 February 2022, 18:05 CET

The EU Commission presented a new standardisation strategy Thursday to set global standards which protect EU values and counter external dependencies and threats from artificial intelligence and hacking.

EU standardisation strategy — 03 February 2022, 17:47 CET

The European Commission presented on 2 February a new Standardisation Strategy outlining the EU's approach to standards within the Single Market as well as globally. The Strategy is accompanied by a proposal for an amendment to the Regulation on standardisation, a report on its implementation, and the 2022 annual Union work programme for European standardisation.

EU Council adopts position on common charger for electronic devices — 27 January 2022, 23:08 CET

EU states agreed Wednesday on a negotiating mandate for the common Europe-wide charger proposal, which would mean buying a new mobile phone does not imply purchase of a new charger as well.

Brussels unveils 'smarter' customs plan — 01 October 2020, 14:25 CET

The EU Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan Monday, setting out a series of measures to make EU customs 'smarter, more innovative and more efficient' over the next four years.

New Customs Union Action Plan — 29 September 2020, 14:08 CET

The European Commission launched on 28 September a new Customs Union Action Plan setting out a series of measures to make EU customs smarter, more innovative and more efficient over the next four years.

New raw materials strategy to lead Europe's green transition — 08 September 2020, 18:38 CET

A new raw materials strategy, proposed Thursday by the EU Commission, would reduce Europe's dependency on third countries, diversify supply and promote responsible sourcing worldwide.

New EU strategy to decarbonise Europe's economy — 11 March 2020, 17:40 CET

The EU Commission unveiled a new industrial strategy for Europe Tuesday to help industry's transitions towards climate neutrality and digitalisation, and boost its competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

European Industrial Strategy Package - background guide — 10 March 2020, 18:23 CET

The European Commission presented on 10 March a new Strategy to help Europe's industry lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.

Company restructuring in EU made easier — 19 November 2019, 17:29 CET

The EU Council adopted Monday a Directive on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions providing harmonised procedures for companies to merge, divide or move within the EU Single Market.

EU agrees provisional deal to strengthen consumer rights online — 29 January 2019, 23:16 CET

The EU institutions reached a draft deal Tuesday on new rules to make it easier and safer to buy and sell both goods and digital content across borders - including software, streaming or game downloads.

States agree new EU legal framework for spirit drinks — 12 December 2018, 18:38 CET

EU countries have confirmed agreement on a regulation on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, including use in other foodstuffs and protection of geographical indications.

Commission plan to make standardisation in the Single Market more efficient — 22 November 2018, 23:43 CET

The European Commission on 22 November presented an action plan to enhance efficiency, transparency and legal certainty in the development of harmonised standards for a fully functioning Single Market.

Brussels issues protectionism warning on EU Single Market — 25 November 2018, 17:12 CET

Presenting a review of the Single Market Thursday, the EU Commission told Member States that greater efforts and political courage were needed to close the gap between rhetoric and delivery.

Online markeplaces sign EU pledge on product safety — 27 June 2018, 14:09 CET

Four major online marketplaces, Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten - France signed a commitment Monday for faster removal of dangerous products sold on their online marketplaces.

New EU rules to ban single-use plastics — 01 June 2018, 12:40 CET

The European Commission proposed on 28 May new EU-wide rules to target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

EU mulls upgrade to rules on machinery safety, product liability — 08 May 2018, 15:57 CET

With a view to ensuring that legislation keeps up with emerging digital technologies and innovative products, the Commission published evaluation reports Monday on EU machinery safety and product liability rules.

MEPs call for global ban on animal testing of cosmetics — 08 May 2018, 15:58 CET

The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a global ban on testing cosmetics on animals before 2023, MEPs urged Thursday. The sale of all animal-tested cosmetics has been banned within the EU since 2013.