European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
single market
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, February 2019
The February plenary session highlights included a further debate on the Future of Europe, with Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s Prime Minister; debates on Syria, and the future of the INF Treaty and its impact on the EU; and discussions on Roma integration strategies, and on a reflection paper on a sustainable Europe by 2030. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Protecting European consumers [Policy Podcast]
Consumer protection rules have been improving the rights of consumers in the European Union since the 1970s. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 13-14 December 2018
The meetings of EU Heads of State or Government that took place on 13-14 December 2018 dealt with a more extensive agenda than originally planned. Continue reading
Discontinuing seasonal changes of time [EU Legislation in Progress]
To end the biannual change of clocks that currently takes place in every Member State at the end of March and the end of October, on 12 September 2018 the European Commission adopted a proposal to discontinue the seasonal changes of time in the Union. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, November II 2018
The highlights of the November II plenary session were the debate on the future of Europe with the Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and the discussion on the Council and Commission statements on UK withdrawal from the European Union. Continue reading
Supporting the single market beyond 2020 [EU Legislation in Progress]
For the next long-term EU budget framework (2021-2027), the Commission is proposing a new, dedicated €4 billion programme aimed at empowering and protecting consumers, and enabling Europe’s many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take better advantage of a well-functioning single market. Continue reading
General safety of vehicles and protection of vulnerable road users [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
As part of the third ‘Europe on the move’ package of measures, on 27 May 2018, the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users. Continue reading
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
Download the EPRS App
