Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné Aims for Transparency and Reform in Italy's Street Vendor Licensing System

Making sense of street vending in Italy is no easy feat, and Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné sheds light on how the European Commission intends to push for clarity and efficiency. It appears the Italian authorities are struggling to keep a coherent record of street vendor stands, a prerequisite for implementing EU Directive 2006/123/EC effectively. This tangled administrative web affects local authorities, small business operators, and consumers alike, raising questions about fair access and competition in the market.

This reply comes as an answer to a parliamentary question posed by MEP Pina Picierno from the S&D group, highlighting Italy's difficulties in fulfilling the Services Directive’s requirements regarding itinerant trade, particularly the failure to properly map vendor stands.

The Commission's response contains concrete acknowledgments rather than vague commitments; it confirms ongoing dialogue with Italian authorities and openly supports reform measures. However, no strict numerical targets or deadlines are specified, though compliance with transparency and non-discrimination principles—already enshrined in Italian legislation—is emphasized.

Policy-wise, the Commission signals that exclusivity created by Italy’s license assignment methods under Law 214/2023 clashes with the directive's provisions, necessitating national-level adjustments. The direction is clear: promote transparency and fair competition in street vending, but leave the means of reform to Italian discretion.

Stakeholders face mixed impacts. Local authorities bear administrative burdens to overhaul record-keeping. Street vendors may gain from transparent selection processes but face sustained exclusivity limits. Consumers stand to benefit from a more competitive market, while the Commission reasserts its supervisory role, maintaining pressure on Italy to align national practices with EU standards. The upcoming dialogue and potential implementation steps will be critical for Italy's compliance trajectory.