- “Smes have to be the main beneficiaries of a better functioning single market and at the same time, SMEs, startups and small mid-caps are among the most affected by regulatory and administrative market fragmentation and obstacles. At the same time, because they stand to gain the most from a more integrated home market, the strategy focuses on SMEs and proposes initiatives that will help them to make the most of the single market. This includes a new online tool to help SMEs identify their status online, in order to benefit from measures where they have to prove Proof that they are an SME. We are also. We have also proposed the definition for the small mid-cap companies because we want to extend to these companies some of the advantages, in particular of the regulatory benefits that are afforded to SMEs, because they are often SMEs that have grown out of, uh, of the SME definition, out of the size of an SME. Um, but we we think that in particular in some regulations, it would make a lot of sense to have also these small mid-caps, uh, benefit from an easier, uh, easier set of rules to better consider SME interests and mitigation measures. A new mandatory SME check has been developed in these already implemented now in the Commission impact assessments for all initiatives that are flagged, uh, as relevant for SMEs. Furthermore, the strategy identifies additional actions needed to increase increase the recognition of intellectual property rights. So to improve SME access to finance and aid their scaling up in the single market.”
Overall simplification of regulation in the EU · EU Single Market harmonisation
- “Are too fast. No stays. Yeah. It doesn't. I go back first while all the obstacles must and will be addressed. We need to keep focus, and we want to keep this focus by proposing to address as a first priority the ten most harmful single market barriers, what we like to call the terrible ten. We have heard the message that the EU rules can be overly complex, and in response, the Commission has launched an unprecedented simplification exercise. And together with this strategy, we propose. We had proposed the fourth omnibus package and as we all know more, some packages are in the pipeline to reduce red tape for companies. We are also proposing, in the future, next year, a simplified public procurement framework, which will support companies by considering a minimum level of clean products made in Europe in certain technologies and strategic sectors in our public procurement. Our product legislation framework is at the heart of the single market for goods, and we will modernize our rules so that they are fully adapted to new challenges and realities. As part of a new product legislation, we will include the introduction of the Digital product passport as one of the main. You know, we want the digital Product passport be the main digital container for all product information. We want to strengthen procedures for removing. Sorry, something went wrong. That's. Yeah. We want to remove risky products from the market and allow repaired and refurbished products to have a second life in the single market.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport
- “Um, but we also need a focus on this small SMEs. But the barriers will go a long way. You know, while they don't go against, you know, limiting the protection of consumers or limiting the protection of, of workers, and the terrible tests have been developed. They are the result of, uh, long consultation that we did where we, you know, collect contributions from organisations, trade unions, consumer organisations. We went into member states, we had events because we wanted also to get the national level and comments from there. And on the basis of really a vast set of, of data and, and material that was brought to our attention, we developed this, this terrible tent. They are not all the barriers that are there, But we think that they are. They cover the the the ones that are the most hurtful for for the single market. And the Commission has also clarified that by European might be the right instrument in certain sectors, in certain cases, to ensure that we are more resilient and we have less dependencies from other, other parts of the world. And I consider the single market really as a as a key element of our, of our, um, competitiveness. If you want to strengthen competitiveness in the Union, we need to strengthen the single market. Thank you.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “Thank you very much. Dear Madam Chair, honourable members of the European Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, I have a presentation here. It's there. Perfect. Thank you very much. Um, I think it's not an understatement that we live through a period of economic and geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions and all the more important is what the single market can give us, because it can provide unique scale, strength and agility. And therefore, I think our common message now a days has to be it is time to choose Europe. Yeah. Choosing Europe means accessing a market with a GDP of €18 trillion, a market with 450 million consumers, and the collective strength of the world's most skilled workers. And that work for 26 million companies. And our single market is. And it has to be the Europe, our European home market, our anchor of stability and resilience. It offers stability through the rule of law and a predictable business environment, and adds its foundation is our social market economy. But still today, too many obstacles tie down the single market, and we need to therefore reinvigorate our vision of a simple, fair and seamless single market. And based on our contract with business and citizens, we need more more free movement and less fewer barriers within the single market and at the same time ensuring protection and empowerment of workers and consumers. And that's why on the 21st of May, as you chair said, the commission presented the new single market strategy. And in this strategy, we present also a new method to energize our single market and to make it indeed seamless, Simple and strong and first.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Simplification measures (political compass)
- “We will promote the use of digital tools and automatic processes to make recognitions faster and easier, to make mobility of people of workers easier. We also want to further alleviate the burdensome procedures for temporary posting of workers. I know in this committee you had also recent discussions on the proposal for an e declaration. Another part of the strategy concerns the European services markets. We want to have to try a new approach, how we can boost these markets and reap really the the possibilities that are tap into the potential that are in the single market for services in Europe. For this purpose, we want to zoom in on specific services sectors where we think there could be the highest economic added value from a better functioning single market, and also services that are particularly relevant for the twin transition. In particular, we will propose a Construction Services Act to improve cross-border market access for construction and installation services. We want to work on a new EU Delivery Act to modernize rules in the postal and parcels sectors, and we will launch initiatives to facilitate industry related services such as installations, maintenance and repair services. In addition, we will also take actions in the energy, telecommunication, transport and financial services sectors. These sectors had also been singled out by Mr. Letta and Mr. Draghi in their respective reports. It is very important to underline that the single market should provide a conducive business environment for our small and medium sized companies to give them opportunities to grow and thrive.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Digitalization of public governance & administration · EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
- “Our single market provides therefore ample opportunities, but it also needs to be protected from abuse and we will therefore shield it from unfair trade practices, including by taking effective action to better coordinate the activities of our market surveillance authorities at the EU levels. Standards are fundamental to the single market and to address long delays in standard setting. We will review the standardization regulation by streamlining the standard setting process and also allow better stakeholder participation. We want to address the fragmentation of rules on packaging and labelling. Labeling another burden, another obstacle that is mentioned very frequently by the companies. And we want to do that by more harmonized and digital solutions. And we want to really create a single market for waste through the Future Circular Economy Act, where we want to focus in particular on easing also the extended producer responsibility obligations and an end of waste criteria. And on the extended responsibility obligations. We have to organize these themes in a way that they are really compatible with the single market. In the area of services. We know that the situation is that national services regulation remains restrictive and diverging. And therefore, we want to make it easier to temporarily provide services across borders when providers are already authorized and certified in one member states, and they should not have to pass another hurdle of having to be authorized and and and certified in the member states where they're going to to tackle difficulties faced by citizens seeking recognition of their professional qualifications.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Circular economy · EU restrictions on unfair commercial practices
- “So we have to see how can we also we have to do that. This is a typical example where we need also action coherent action at at at member states level. And this brings me where the member States they stand. We will see what the what the European Council this week will now put in its conclusion. We we expect the reaction also on the single market strategy. And we we hope very much also on a commitment, not just words, but we need an action that we that European institutions and, and member states will do together. For SMEs. It's important indeed to have that they that information that they have provided that they can not don't have to provide it again, again and again. So that's why this once only principle, we want to apply it in a, in a, in a, in a, in a coherent and very far reaching way, as much as possible to make it easier for, for the companies. Um, I think attacking barriers is a crucial element of, of of invigorating reinvigorating the, the, the single market. Of course, we need to keep the trust of consumers in safe products. That's why we also have measures to address the problem of non-compliant products on the single market. As has also been mentioned by my by my other panelists.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · EU restrictions on unfair commercial practices
- “I will try. Thank you very much for for these comments and questions. I want to say that Ontario territorial supply constraints, uh, this is a subject that we're not, not, not starting to look at and that we had we have done studies, but it is something that that leads to discrimination, not only between one region, I would say, and, and other parts of the European Union, but in particular for consumers between member states, even within parts of the union. And so we. We know that we need something. In addition, competition law can do can go some part of the way, but not all the way. And that's why we're looking into what what is the best initiative to to make sure that, uh, that these, these, uh, supply constraints built up by companies are stopped so that really we have a proper, properly working, uh, single market. Um, and of course, based also on we will also base it on, on experiences that we have with other pieces of, of legislation that I think have contributed, but maybe more can be done on SMEs on succession. That will also be we'll also look at the, uh, at the recommendation, the EU recommendation on the business transfer of companies, because we know it's a big issue. Uh, a lot of these rules, of course, are national rules.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Geo-blocking · EU Competition policy
- “I'll finish quickly. Uh, digitalization is another important aspect where and can be really a game changer for how our administrations work and make life also easier for businesses in the European Union. We want to move from a document based to really a database single market, where we still have some some ground to cover. And we also want to use in this respect the existing tools such as single digital gateway with its once only technical system to exchange information among administrations and between the businesses and administration, as well as citizens and administration and also our internal market information system and the E-invoicing. And my final point on enforcement. We have to make sure that rules that are established are also respected by all market operators and by member states, and we want to prevent there for the creation of new barriers. And we want to ensure a coherent application of the rules in the whole single market. And whenever necessary, we will not hesitate to use infringement procedures against Member States. We also want to use the Single Market Enforcement Task Force. And we have proposed that the leaders, the members of the European Council, uh, name, um, a high level shepherd within their administration with a particular particular task to promote the application of single markets. In this way, I think we can make sure that companies and citizens enjoy the full potential of the single market. What is also clear that this will strengthen Europe's voice globally. But it is necessary that all everybody joins this endeavor. This concerns not only the Commission, but also the other European institutions, and in particular also the member states. Thank you for your patience.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Digitalization of public governance & administration
- “Happy to be here with my colleague Stefan Ohlsson, deputy director general from employment, and our colleagues. Thank you for for this opportunity. Member States have the option to ask for a prior declaration of posted workers to allow factual controls at the workplace, provided that such a declaration obligation is justified and proportionate. In practice, all member States have introduced such a declaration obligation. However, this was done without harmonisation regarding the format, the procedure, and the scope of the information requested. Now, the fragmentation and multiplication of declaration procedures constitutes an obstacle, a clear obstacle to the functioning of the single market. It is a source of administrative burden for companies without unfortunately, preventing abuses and circumvention of workers rights to the extent necessary to exactly. To address this situation, the Commission has proposed establishing a multilingual public interface for the declaration of posted workers connected to the Internal Market Information System. Imi, I think it is important to point out that the Commission proposal does not change any of the substantive rules set out in the Posting of Workers Directive or its Enforcement directive. The protection. The proposal preserves the balance between the freedom to provide services and the protection of workers rights. It does so by simplifying the declaration procedure while enhancing administrative cooperation, which in turn will facilitate enforcement of the posting rules. The proposal leaves the choice to Member states to require or not the use of the declaration for businesses. The declaration will benefit make them benefit from a streamlined declaration form. This will represent a genuine simplification with much fewer information points down from the over 300 information points mapped today in National Declaration Systems. Now more flexibility for member States risks. Of course, less simplification for businesses. And before giving the word to Stefan, I would like to briefly address the specific question on the who will be consulted when in the framework of comitology, implementing acts or delegated acts are adopted, and I can reassure the honourable Member of Parliament that, as always, the Commission will consult widely. Will will do it in a transparent way, and will of course consult, consult not only employers but also representatives of workers.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers