Representatives of the Member States and the European Commission, meeting for the third time in the Single Market Enforcement Task Force (the ‘Smet Task Force’) on Monday 21 September, agreed on a three-pillar remit to improve efforts to tackle obstacles to the smooth functioning of the single market.
The working group approved a “strong, clear” remit, according to the Commission. The remit still has to be approved by written procedure, a European official told us. The remit is not yet been made public but, according to our sources, the representatives have agreed to divide the tasks into three priorities.
The first priority involves the emergency measures adopted by Member States during the coronavirus crisis, many of which contravene single market rules. The working group will focus in particular on the export of medical products and restrictions in the agri-food sector. It should be noted that the working group will not look at specific cases, but, as it was explained to us, will seek to address “an issue”.
The working group’s second priority, which will be a long-term focus, is to tackle barriers related to regulated professions (such as notaries, architects and nurses). Finally, the third priority involves the economic recovery. In this instance, the working group will focus on two high-priority ecosystems: construction and tourism.
The working group was launched at the beginning of the year, at the same time as the Action Plan for compliance and implementation of the single market (see EUROPE 12464/16). It was convened informally for the first time in April, in the middle of the pandemic, in order to combat the numerous obstacles put in place by Member States. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)