European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
single market
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 22-23 March 2018
On 22 and 23 March 2018, the EU Heads of State or Government will convene in four different formations with varying compositions and levels of formality: a regular meeting of the European Council, a Leaders’ meeting on taxation, a Euro Summit and a European Council (Article 50) meeting. Continue reading
The Juncker Commission’s ten priorities: State of play in early 2018
The Juncker Commission has now been in office for more than three years. With only one full calendar year to go until the end of its mandate, many consider that 2018 will be judged as ‘the year of delivery’. Continue reading
Mutual recognition of goods [EU Legislation in Progress]
Despite significant progress in recent decades, the EU single market for goods is not yet fully integrated. Intra-EU trade is important as it remains twice as big as extra-EU trade and is consistently rising. Continue reading
Mapping the Cost of Non-Europe, 2014-19 – Fourth edition
This paper embodies work-in-progress on a long-term project being undertaken by the European Parliament’s European Added Value Unit, in conjunction with the office of the Secretary-General, to try to identify and analyse the ‘cost of non-Europe’ in certain policy fields. Continue reading
EU single market: Boosting growth and jobs in the EU
The EU single market (also known as the internal market and, originally, the common market) prescribes free movement from one EU Member State to another of goods, people, services and capital (known as the ‘four freedoms’). Continue reading
Empowering national competition authorities (NCAs) [EU Legislation in Progress]
Since 2003, national competition authorities (NCAs) together with the European Commission have boosted the enforcement of EU competition and antitrust rules significantly. However, each year losses of €181-320 billion accrue because of undiscovered cartels, which increase prices by between 17 % and 30 % on average. 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
Consumer Protection Cooperation [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission estimates that the detriment to consumers caused by non-compliance with basic EU consumer rules in certain cross-border online markets and also by inefficient cross-border enforcement amounts to €770 million per year.
To remedy this, the Commission has presented a legislative proposal to review the existing rules on consumer protection cooperation between enforcement authorities as part of its e-commerce package in May 2016. Continue reading
Understanding the EU customs union [Policy Podcast]
In December 2016, the European Commission adopted its long-term plan to strengthen the governance and management of the EU customs union. The customs union, in place since 1968, is a pillar of the single market, and vital to the free flow of goods and services. According to the Commission, a strong customs system helps foster competitive businesses, increases wealth, and also protects against terrorist, health, and environmental threats. Continue reading
Introducing a European services e-card [EU Legislation in Progress] [Policy Podcast]
Cross-border provision of services in the EU is relatively common, and is undertaken by an increasing number of entities, especially in sectors such as construction and business. Despite this fact, many service-providers still face obstacles to benefitting from comparable business opportunities available to local persons and organisations. Continue reading
WIFI4EU – Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities [Plenary Podcast]
Written by Christian Scheinert, The Commission’s initiative aims at providing free access to fast internet in local communities. The European Parliament will discuss and vote on WIFI4EU in its September plenary. Background The Commission is of the opinion that the EU lags behind other industrialised nations, such as South Korea and Japan, when it comes … Continue reading
Single digital gateway [EU Legislation in Progress]
As part of the ‘compliance package’, the Commission intends to provide a single digital entry point to offer easy and efficient online access for businesses and citizens, comprising: (1) information about Union and national law and administrative requirements, (2) procedures, such as company registration, and (3) services providing assistance upon request. Continue reading
Reform of services notification procedure [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Marcin Szczepański, The 2006 Services Directive requires Member States to notify the European Commission of changes to national rules on services, providing the EU executive and other Member States with the opportunity to examine potential incompatibility with EU legislation early in the process. Based on its own assessments and public consultation, the Commission … Continue reading
The European Commission at mid-term: State of play of President Juncker’s ten priorities
Written by Etienne Bassot and Wolfgang Hiller, At a time when, more than ever, citizens expect the European Union institutions to address their concerns and deliver on promises and commitments made, this analysis provides an overview of the work carried out by the European Commission at the mid-term of its current mandate, notably in the … Continue reading
Single market information tool (SMIT) [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Cemal Karakas (1st edition), Competition and consumer protection in the single market are often undermined by measures such as price discrimination based on residency, geo-blocking of online audio-visual content, or limited cross-border parcel delivery. While many businesses do not cooperate with the Commission by e.g. disclosing their pricing structure, Member States often do … Continue reading
Double taxation dispute resolution mechanisms in the European Union [EU Legislation in Progress]
Double taxation happens when two (or more) tax jurisdictions impose comparable taxes on the same cross-border taxable event. This can happen since taxation is a sovereign right for individual countries. Continue reading
The Audiovisual Media Services Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 6 June 2018, European Parliament negotiators and the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council agreed on an updated EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive, based on the proposal presented by the Commission on 25 May 2016. Continue reading
Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 September 2016, the European Commission proposed an updated regulation on the Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications (BEREC). The proposal aims at transforming BEREC into a fully fledged agency. Continue reading
Reflection paper on the social dimension of the EU
Written by Nora Milotay, The paper on the EU’s social dimension, the first of five papers within the white paper process, is the European Commission’s contribution to a debate among the leaders of the 27 Member States (other than the UK), EU institutions, social partners and citizens on two major issues in the social and … Continue reading
Outcome of the special European Council (Article 50) meeting of 29 April 2017
Written by Ralf Drachenberg, At their first formal meeting as the European Council of the EU-27 on 29 April 2017, EU leaders took a united stance on the main priorities of the EU-27 for the Article 50 negotiations, namely to guarantee EU and UK citizens’ rights, settle the UK’s financial obligations to the EU, and … Continue reading
Download the EPRS App
