Brussels, 18/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Commission's work programme for consolidating the internal market, looks like it is going to be a full one, because a global strategy for goods and services looks like it is on the cards. Industry and small businesses are not expected to be left out of it either.
In the programme it unveiled on Tuesday 16 December, the Commission announced that it was going to develop a more extensive but fairer internal market, with an enhanced industrial base. To this end, it has promised that it will develop a number of so-called soft measures, as well as actual legislative initiatives.
During her hearing at the European Parliament, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Industry, Elzbieta Bienkowska, had already sketched out the main guidelines in her strategy. They are now available in the hard copy of the Commission' s workplan for 2015. It will involve encouraging member states to fully transpose the services directive, as well as new rules to facilitate access to cross-border public procurement and online public procurement markets. The Commission also intends to assess the way in which the mutual recognition principle is working and look at how it can be improved. The Commission will also attempt to improve cross-border parcel deliveries and examine the results from its 2013 proposed action plan on this subject (EUROPE 10985). The Commission will also be attempting to ensure that the European unitary patent really comes into being next year (EUROPE 10976).
Industry is a crucial part of the Commission strategy. This will involve transversal ways of improving the legislative environment for investment and marketing of innovative products. Sector specific initiatives are planned next year, such as the revision of the CARS 2020 car registration process and revision of the chemical products authorisation procedures (REACH). A balance sheet is also planned for the construction sector and its legislation, particularly in the context of energy efficiency.
SMEs will not be left out, because the Commission may be beginning its revision of the Small Business Act, with five key priorities: reducing administrative costs, access to funding and markets and training and entrepreneurship. (MD)