European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
internal market
Cross-border creditors [What Europe does for you]
Around 50 % of all consumers shop online, and the number of cross-border transactions in the internal market is growing steadily. Continue reading
Posting of Workers Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
Posting of workers plays an important role in the internal market, particularly in the cross-border provision of services. While the number of posted workers continues to increase significantly, problems such as unfair practices and unequal remuneration persist. Continue reading
WIFI4EU – Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Christian Scheinert (3rd edition), On 12 September 2017, the European Parliament voted to adopt a legislative act that aims at the promotion of very fast wireless internet access in local communities. This service will be provided free of charge to the public at large. The areas covered will encompass public administrations, libraries and … Continue reading
EU fertilising products [EU Legislation in Progress]
Fertilising products are used to improve plant growth, mainly in agriculture, enabling higher crop yields. However, they are associated with some challenges as regards security of supply, the environment and health. Continue reading
Cross-border portability of online content services [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Tambiama Madiega (2nd edition), In February 2017, negotiators from the European Parliament, the Council and Commission reached a compromise on the proposal for a regulation on cross-border portability of online content services. The EP must now formally approve the new rules, enabling consumers to access their online subscriptions for content services when they … Continue reading
Understanding the Single Market for services [Policy Podcast]
Services account for 70% of European Union (EU) GDP and for a similar share of jobs, but only 20% of services, representing 5% of EU GDP, are provided across borders. Intra-EU trade in services has been less affected by the crisis than trade in goods, however, and experts agree that further integration of the market will bring about significant economic gains Continue reading
Geo-blocking and discrimination among customers in the EU [EU Legislation in Progress]
Geo-blocking practices commonly restrict cross-border sales of tangible goods as well as of electronically supplied services and electronically delivered content services in the EU. Continue reading
Cross-border parcel delivery services [EU Legislation in Progress]
High prices and the inconvenience of cross-border parcel delivery have been identified as being among the main obstacles to a bigger uptake of e-commerce among European consumers and retailers. Continue reading
Reform of the European Small Claims Procedure [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Rafał Mańko (2nd edition) On 23 June 2015, the European Parliament and the Council agreed on a compromise regarding the reform of the European Small Claims Procedure (ESCP). The compromise, which still requires to be formally adopted by the two co-legislators in the coming months, provides that the ceiling for claims will be … Continue reading
The EU’s prominent antitrust cases [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski The European Commission is pursuing a number of high-profile investigations in the competition area, highlighting the determination of the new team at the European Union’s executive to be a tough enforcer of antitrust laws. Last month, the Commission sent a Statement of Objections to Google, alleging the company has abused its … Continue reading
Graphics on the Internal Market and Customs Union
Here you’ll find graphs, charts, tables and maps with statistics on the Internal Market and Customs Union. To see graphics for other policy areas, go to the Graphics Warehouse. Graphics on the Internal Market and Customs Union
EU competition policy: key to a fair Single Market
The aim of EU competition policy is to safeguard the correct functioning of the Single Market. In essence it ensures that enterprises have the possibility to compete on equal terms on the markets of all Member States. Competition policy encompasses a wide range of areas: antitrust and cartels, merger examination, state aid, the liberalisation of … Continue reading
Combating unfair commercial practices
Consumers in the Internal Market cannot always count on an honest stance from all enterprises. Prior to the adoption of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (‘UCPD’) in 2005, regulation to deal with such practices was partly at national level, and partly harmonised at EU level. The UCPD provides for full (maximum) harmonisation, which means that … Continue reading
Establishing the European Border Surveillance System
The European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) is a key element of integrated border management on the EU’s external frontiers, in which Member States cooperate with each other and with Frontex to exchange information on irregular migration and cross-border crime. Developing Eurosur as a full-scale system, as proposed in the draft regulation, will also address the … Continue reading
Updated product rules for recreational boats
6 language versions available in PDF format Aktualisierte Produktvorschriften für Sportboote Actualización de las normas aplicables a las embarcaciones de recreo Actualisation des règles applicables aux bateaux de plaisance Aggiornamento delle norme sulle imbarcazioni da diporto Zaktualizowane zasady dotyczące rekreacyjnych jednostek pływających Updated product rules for recreational boats The EU has some 6 million motor … Continue reading
Recognition of professional qualifications
6 language versions available in PDF format Anerkennung beruflicher Qualifikationen Reconocimiento de las cualificaciones profesionales Reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles Riconoscimento delle qualifiche professionali Uznawanie kwalifikacji zawodowych Recognition of professional qualifications Difficulties in recognition of professional qualifications (RPQ) continue to be one obstacle to mobility of workers. In order to facilitate and accelerate the RPQ process … Continue reading
Updating the EU Customs Code
The EU’s current customs code is still based on procedures involving paper documents. In order to modernise the rules and adapt the legislation to the electronic environment, the European Commission has proposed to amend the pending modified customs code and postpone its full implementation until 2020. Background The 1992 Community Customs Code is a single … Continue reading
Toughening EU rules on market abuse
Responding to the economic crisis and recent scandals in financial institutions, the European Commission (EC) has proposed to strengthen the financial-market abuse framework. Undermining market integrity Banks have been struggling to recover from the 2008 financial crisis and trying to lose their negative image, but recent market abuse scandals (e.g. Libor manipulation and investment bankers’ … Continue reading
Further steps to complete the Single Market
Mainly due to late or incomplete transposition and implementation of legislation, the Single Market is not yet fully completed, especially in areas such as network industries, Digital Single Market and mobility of people. Liberalisation of network industries is especially challenging and produces mixed results with regards to performance and consumer benefits. Deepening the Single Market … Continue reading
New VAT rules for vouchers
6 language versions available in PDF formatNeue MwSt. Vorschriften für Gutscheine Nuevas normas sobre el tratamiento de los bonos a efectos del IVA Nouvelles règles de TVA applicables aux bons Nuove norme in materia di IVA per i buoni Nowe przepisy o podatku VAT od bonów na towary i usługi New VAT rules for vouchers … Continue reading
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