Brussels, 24/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The Single Digital Market Strategy should not be allowed to create additional administrative burdens on business. 14 member states sent this message to the Dutch Minister of the Economy, Henk Kamp, ahead of the Telecommunications and Competitiveness Council on 26 May.
The letter is co-signed by Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenian, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It is also supported by the Private Employers Federation, BUSINESSEUROPE. It argues for "A market-based approach, where companies are not having to confront unjustified charges, where they can act freely beyond borders and where legislation is digital by default".
In practice, it underlines the importance of the "better regulation" concept and impact studies. It calls for a technologically neutral and coherent data protection system as part of the initiative to revise the directive on privacy. It supports the revision of the telecommunications regulation and the withdrawal of unjustified rules, in an effort to stimulate investment in high speed broadband and to promote competitive prices and innovative services. Finally, the 14 member states reject a one size fits all solution to platforms. Their message was published on the eve of the Commission's presentation of the study of the economic and social role of online platforms and recommends better use of existing rules on consumer protection, competition, intellectual property and data protection and the pursuit of alternatives to regulation. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)