The European Commission has identified ten barriers that businesses believe most restrict the free movement of goods and services, and that prevent businesses and citizens from taking full advantage of Europe's single market.
The barriers were identified on the basis of extensive stakeholder consultations. The Commission will be taking action to eliminate these barriers. Beyond this, however, it is asking companies for feedback when they are faced with regulatory barriers, so that legislation can be changed. That's why Beci and Enterprise Europe Brussels are encouraging companies in Brussels to inform the European Commission of their problems, needs and expectations related to Europe.
What are the top ten barriers to business development in the European single market?
- Complexity of business set-up and development;
- Complexity of EU regulations;
- Lack of control by Member States;
- Limited recognition of professional qualifications;
- Lack of common standards and delays in establishing standards;
- Fragmented regulations on packaging, labelling and waste;
- Obsolete product regulations and lack of product conformity;
- Restrictive and divergent national regulations on services;
- Burdensome procedures for the temporary assignment of workers;
- Territorial supply constraints.
The new strategy for the single market will focus in particular on implementing priority actions to eliminate these ten obstacles for businesses, as described in a fact sheet. Removing them will enhance the free movement of safe products, the cross-border provision of services and make it easier for businesses to establish themselves throughout the EU and develop their operations.
A platform to inform the European Commission of regulatory barriers
The removal of regulatory barriers for the development of businesses within the single market is an ongoing process. The Commission asks businesses for feedback when they encounter regulatory obstacles. To this end, it has developed a platform on the Your Europe business website where companies can easily report problems they encounter with public administrations in Europe or with specific European regulations.
Are you encountering a barrier related to a regulation or a problem with a public administration in an EU country?
Can't find the answers to your questions about European legislation?
Are you experiencing difficulties in complying with certain European directives?
Describe the problem by answering the questions on the European Commission's feedback platform.
Beci and Enterprise Europe Brussels, the voice of business to the European Commission
Enterprise Europe Brussels informs the European Commission of your problems, needs and expectations relating to Europe. You can also communicate the obstacles and problems you encounter to Enterprise Europe Brussels / Beci, who will pass them on to the Commission.
Describe your case briefly so that we can pass on this information to the European Commission. You can change legislation! Your feedback helps national and EU public administrations to verify the quality of their services and to identify the main barriers. The European Commission collects all contributions anonymously to see how the situation can be improved for all concerned.
As the Enterprise Europe Network contact point for companies in Brussels, Beci and its Enterprise Europe Brussels experts help companies to develop their activities within the European single market and take full advantage of its benefits. Contact Beci - Enterprise Europe Brussels for any further information or advice.
