Brussels, 09/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Regulated professions in Europe, such as accountancy and pharmacy, will now be part of a European map that illustrates existing disparities in these professions in the different member states.
On Thursday 8 May, the European Commission published an interactive European map of professions to which access is conditional upon the possession of specific qualifications or for which the use of a specific title is protected, such as architects. Each member state will provide details about the number of regulated professions and their breakdown by sector of the economy, the trend in the number of recognition decisions since 2005, and details of the national contact points responsible for providing information.
In a press release, European Commissioner for the Internal Market Michel Barnier stated that this mapping tool will make it possible to assess “the diversity of approaches adopted by member states to protect their public interests by regulating certain professions”, reflecting their different realities and sensitivities. The commissioner added that this map will provide a visual representation of persisting obstacles in Europe and “allows us to direct our efforts towards the sectors and professions where the modernisation of the legislative environment is likely to have the greatest effect”.
This mapping exercise responds to the Commission action plan presented last December, as a means to carry out a mutual assessment by peers over the next two years. Member states will present the measures they intend to take to adjust their regulation and the Commission will then provide a report to ensure the efficiency of their respective measures. (MD)