Brussels, 16/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 15 January, the Commission presented the results of three Eurobarometer surveys carried out in 2006. The surveys asked European Union citizens and businesses about the single market, its impact on them and future policy with a view to the completion of the single market, currently being re-examined.
According to the Special Eurobarometer 254 survey, carried out in February-March 2006 on a sample of 25,000 from across the EU, most citizens are satisfied with the possibilities offered by the single market, but feel that they have not been well informed about their rights in this market without borders. 7 out 10 citizens do not know about the services offered by the Community to give them information about the single market. The positive effects of the single market from the competition point of view are recognised by 67% of people, 73% of those surveyed appreciate the range of products on offer, and 58% believe the single market has increased product quality.
Two other surveys (Flash Eurobarometer 180 and 190) were carried out in July-August 2006 (for the ten “new” Member States) and in January-February 2006 (for the fifteen “old” Member States). Some 7,500 business executives were asked about the impact of the single market on how businesses operate. 35% of those interviewed in the ten new countries considered that the single market had had a positive impact on their firm's activities, 27% said it had had no impact, and only 5% said the impact had been negative. In the fifteen old countries, 30% felt the impact of the single market had been positive, 51% saw no influence and 7% felt the impact had been negative. The elimination of customs documentation, the abolition of border controls and VAT procedures for sales within the EU, the standardisation of European products, and the liberalisation of movement of capital were seen by businesses as having the most positive impact.
The results of the surveys and the report on the public consultation carried out in parallel are available at http: //ec.europa.eu/internal_market/strategy/index_en.htm#hearing