EU Single Market

News and information about the European Union's single market.

Brussels unveils 'smarter' customs plan

The EU Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan Monday, setting out a series of measures to make EU customs 'smarter, more innovative and more efficient' over the next four years.

New Customs Union Action Plan

The European Commission launched on 28 September a new Customs Union Action Plan setting out a series of measures to make EU customs smarter, more innovative and more efficient over the next four years.

New raw materials strategy to lead Europe's green transition

A new raw materials strategy, proposed Thursday by the EU Commission, would reduce Europe's dependency on third countries, diversify supply and promote responsible sourcing worldwide.

New EU strategy to decarbonise Europe's economy

The EU Commission unveiled a new industrial strategy for Europe Tuesday to help industry's transitions towards climate neutrality and digitalisation, and boost its competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

European Industrial Strategy Package - background guide

The European Commission presented on 10 March a new Strategy to help Europe's industry lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.

Company restructuring in EU made easier

The EU Council adopted Monday a Directive on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions providing harmonised procedures for companies to merge, divide or move within the EU Single Market.

EU agrees provisional deal to strengthen consumer rights online

The EU institutions reached a draft deal Tuesday on new rules to make it easier and safer to buy and sell both goods and digital content across borders - including software, streaming or game downloads.

States agree new EU legal framework for spirit drinks

EU countries have confirmed agreement on a regulation on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, including use in other foodstuffs and protection of geographical indications.

Commission plan to make standardisation in the Single Market more efficient

The European Commission on 22 November presented an action plan to enhance efficiency, transparency and legal certainty in the development of harmonised standards for a fully functioning Single Market.

Brussels issues protectionism warning on EU Single Market

Presenting a review of the Single Market Thursday, the EU Commission told Member States that greater efforts and political courage were needed to close the gap between rhetoric and delivery.

Online markeplaces sign EU pledge on product safety

Four major online marketplaces, Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten - France signed a commitment Monday for faster removal of dangerous products sold on their online marketplaces.

New EU rules to ban single-use plastics

The European Commission proposed on 28 May new EU-wide rules to target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

EU mulls upgrade to rules on machinery safety, product liability

With a view to ensuring that legislation keeps up with emerging digital technologies and innovative products, the Commission published evaluation reports Monday on EU machinery safety and product liability rules.

MEPs call for global ban on animal testing of cosmetics

The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a global ban on testing cosmetics on animals before 2023, MEPs urged Thursday. The sale of all animal-tested cosmetics has been banned within the EU since 2013.

A stronger and more competitive European retail sector

The EU Commission published on 19 April a set of best practices to support Member States' efforts to create a more open, integrated and competitive retail sector.

Brussels bids to revive Europe's city centres

The EU Commission published a set of best practices for the retail sector Thursday in a bid to revive city centres and increase innovation and competitiveness in one of the EU economy's biggest sectors.

New EU rules promote competition in cross-border parcel delivery services

New rules to provide clearer information on Europe-wide prices of parcel delivery services and boost consumer confidence in cross-border shopping and shipping were approved Tuesday by MEPs.

MEPs call for worldwide ban on animal testing of cosmetics

The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a worldwide ban on the animal testing of cosmetics before 2023, the European Parliament's Environment Committee said on Tuesday.

Commission boost for European blockchain effort

The Commission gave its backing Thursday to efforts to develop blockchain technology, with the launch of an EU Blockchain Observatory for a technology seen as an economy 'gamechanger'.

Cross-border parcel delivery boost for European SMEs

The EU institutions provisionally agreed Thursday on new rules to make cross-border parcel delivery tariffs more transparent and allow regulators to better monitor the cross-border parcel delivery market.

Cross-border parcel delivery

EU negotiators reached a provisional agreement on 13 December 2017 to make prices for cross-border parcel delivery services more transparent and affordable and to increase regulatory oversight of the EU parcel market.

Brussels acts to protect Europe's know-how

Europe's smaller companies will be encouraged to invest in innovation and creativity, under EU Commission plans presented Wednesday to strengthen protection of intellectual property rights.

Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement

The European Commission presented on 29 November 2017 measures to ensure that intellectual property rights are well protected, thereby encouraging European companies, in particular SMEs and start-ups, to invest in innovation and creativity.

EU looks to make procurement more efficient and sustainable

As part of EU efforts to stimulate the economy and unlock investment, the European Commission put forward Tuesday an initiative for more efficient and sustainable procurement, exploiting digital technologies.

Public procurement initiative

To strengthen the Single Market and as part of the continuous effort to stimulate investment in the EU, the European Commission has put forward an initiative to carry out procurement more efficiently and in a sustainable manner, while making full use of digital technologies to simplify and accelerate procedures.