Saint Malo, 27/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - An action plan seeking to evaluate national regulations on access to regulated professions will be presented by the European Commission on, Wednesday 2 October. Regulated professions represent some 9% of EU GDP but the competitiveness of the sector appears to be restricted by significant barriers imposed on the access to and exercise of professional activities, the Commission says.
European Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier told EUROPE on Friday 27 September that he wanted to “see within the regulated professions which of them can adapt and become more flexible”. “Can the regulations on these professions be justified?” he wondered. What is needed is a clear overview of the rules in force in the member states as part of a review of the professional qualifications directive which, it is hoped, will be formally adopted by the end of the year. The revision will be based around “consumer protection” and will seek to “increase mobility within the internal market” (our translation throughout) the commissioner went on to state. (MD/transl.fl)